The 2016/2017 marketing year set a new record for U.S. exports of feed grains in all forms (GIAF) with 114 million metric tons sold, based on figures provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and analyzed by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC). These export sales have helped support a difficult market for U.S. farmers, driven by prices, yields and market development work.
While the value of these exports does not match the record set in quantity, these marketing opportunities are representative of the Council’s work to support U.S. agricultural producers by identifying short-term market opportunities and building long-term demand for the bushels of grain they harvest as well as co-products like DDGS and ethanol.
Overall, these exports reflect the shifting dynamics in world markets and global trade policies as well as the current price environment. The diversification in world buyers reflects increased interest from traditional customers, trade policy challenges in select markets and new buyers emerging from developing countries.