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U.S. exports of grain in all forms (GIAF) reached nearly 101 million metric tons, equivalent to 3.97 billion bushels, by the end of the 2019/2020 marketing year, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and analysis by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC). While the export total declined five percent year-over-year, GIAF exports still represented the fifth highest year on record.
U.S. corn exports represented the largest percentage decline in 2019/2020, down 14 percent year-over-year due to competitive South American supplies. Exports for the year totaled 45.1 million tons (1.78 billion bushels). Mexico retained its position as the top market for U.S. corn at 14.5 million tons (571 million bushels), down 10 percent year-over-year. Notably, Colombia increased imports slightly to 4.91 million tons (193 million bushels). China skyrocketed into the top five U.S. corn buyers at 2.09 million tons (82.2 million bushels), a dramatic increase from 259,000 tons (11.6 million bushels) the year prior.
Reduced production from U.S. ethanol plants in spring and summer 2020 (due to decreased demand for fuel ethanol) had a ripple effect on the availability and prices of U.S. DDGS. As a result, U.S. DDGS exports ended the year down 6.6 percent at 10.5 million tons. Mexico remained the top buyer, although total imports of 1.8 million tons represented nearly an 11 percent decline year-over-year. By contrast, several top buyers of U.S. DDGS saw increases from the previous year, including South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Japan, the Philippines and New Zealand.
U.S. exports of barley and barley products also declined 7.5 percent year-over-year to 493,000 tons (22.6 million bushels). Mexico was the top buyer at 350,000 tons (16.1 million bushels), down year-over-year.
One sector seeing a bounce upward for the 2019/2020 marketing year was U.S. sorghum exports, coming in at 5.15 million tons (203 million bushels). China was the driver, importing 3.67 million tons (144 million bushels). While this is a substantial increase from the previous year, exports remain well below previous highs. Exports to Mexico also increased 21.5 percent to 594,000 tons (23.4 million bushels), and smaller buyers like Mexico and Japan also saw significant increases.
October 8, 2020/ U.S. Grains Council/ United States.
https://grains.org/
