DDGS prices are mixed this week with buyers reluctant to pay higher prices but sellers able to defend offers for some routes. Rising soybean meal prices are helping DDGS merchandisers maintain pricing strength in some markets. FOB ethanol plant DDGS are $2/MT higher on the back of a $3/MT increase in Kansas City soybean meal. Presently, DDGS have a $1.36 per-protein unit cost advantage versus soybean meal. Barge CIF NOLA DDGS values fell $4/MT for nearby shipment and $2-3/MT for June/July. Easing transportation constraints helped lower prices in this market, as well as in the rail-delivered PNW market. FOB Gulf values are $6/MT higher for May shipment and $4 higher for June/July.
Internationally, merchandisers are reporting some foreign buyers are becoming frustrated with DDGS prices remaining high for so long, buoyed by firm soybean meal markets. This has led to some weakness in CIF Southeast Asia prices, which fell $2/MT this week. Prices for most Asian destinations are lower, but product for Myanmar and Bangladesh is steady/higher.