March Ethanol and DDG Exports Post Strong Gains

Stronger overseas demand for both fuel ethanol and feed co-products continues to reinforce corn use beyond the domestic market.

Handling Grain Bard Waste DDGS for Sustainable Agriculture Applications_Photo by V.Semeniuk via AdobeStock_1424686711.jpg

Distiller Dried Grains (DDG)

NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — U.S. ethanol and distillers’ grains exports both moved higher in March, adding support to corn demand through fuel and feed channels. The latest trade data showed stronger ethanol shipments to Canada and the European Union, while DDGs exports also posted a solid monthly gain.

U.S. ethanol exports rose 4 percent in March to 217.8 million gallons. Canada remained the top destination at 75.1 million gallons, up 23 percent from a year earlier, while shipments to the European Union climbed 18 percent to 58.8 million gallons, the highest level in six years.

Farm-Level Takeaway: Stronger March ethanol and DDGs exports gave the corn sector another boost from international fuel and feed demand.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist

Several other markets also showed strength. Ethanol exports to the Philippines jumped 157 percent to 15.2 million gallons, Colombia rose 34 percent to 13.4 million gallons, and South Korea increased 52 percent to 10.5 million gallons. Year-to-date ethanol exports reached 639.8 million gallons, up 20 percent from last year.

DDGs exports expanded 12 percent in March to a five-month high of 1.03 million metric tons. Mexico recovered to 213,575 metric tons, Indonesia rose 61 percent to 163,702 metric tons, and Vietnam increased 44 percent to 101,428 metric tons. First-quarter DDGs exports totaled 2.96 million metric tons, up 10 percent from 2025.

The combined report points to broad export support for the ethanol sector. Stronger overseas demand for both fuel ethanol and feed co-products continues to reinforce corn use beyond the domestic market.

Related Stories
Rex Gray, Corn Product Manager for Golden Harvest, discusses how the company works side-by-side with farmers to develop strong-performing hybrids built to fit their acres.
Expect a steady corn grind and selective basis strength where exports and local blending stay active.
ock NH3 early, track China’s Oct. 15 call and any U.S. Russia-UAN action, stay nimble on urea, and budget cautiously for high-priced phosphate.
Expect business-as-usual for most container exports.
CoBank Lead Grains Economist Tanner Ehmke joins us to share insight and concerns over current grain storage capacity as export demand lags.
As the government shutdown pushes the farm economy closer to the brink, Sens. Grassley and Ernst of Iowa are raising their voices for agriculture.

Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Export strength is concentrated in corn and wheat, while soybeans and sorghum lag, keeping basis and logistics dynamics highly commodity-specific into late fall.
Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) interval selection—not just participation—drives protection levels as rainfall patterns become less predictable across the South.
If the House concurs and the President signs, USDA services and farm-bill programs resume at full speed with authorities extended for another year.
A smaller U.S. turkey flock and resurgent avian flu have tightened supplies, driving prices higher even as other key holiday foods show mixed trends.
ARC/PLC, marketing loans, and crop insurance each matter at different points in the price cycle — and the new Farm Bill strengthens the balance among them.
Here is a regional snapshot of harvest pace, crop conditions, logistics, and livestock economics across U.S. agriculture for the week of Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.