The study, "Evaluating The Economic Contributions Of U.S. Grain Exports On State And Congressional District Economics", said the total GDP contribution from ethanol exports in 2014 was $2.96 billion while DDGs and corn gluten feed (co-products from ethanol production) exports the same year contributed $4.58 billion to the economy. These figures include direct, indirect and induced effects.
It said ethanol exports in 2014 generated a total of $1.57 billion in labor income and supported 25,250 jobs while DDGs and corn gluten feed (CGF) exports generated $2.42 billion in labor income and supported 38,978 jobs.
The study, carried out by Informa Economics IEG,said ethanol exports in 2014 were valued at $2.06 billion. In 2014, a total of 836 million gallons of ethanol was exported.
But once taking into consideration the impact of those exports to industries that are linked via indirect or induced spending, the total economic output of ethanol exports in 2014 was $8.87 billion.
Similarly, the study said the value of DDG and CGF exports in 2014 was $3.18 billion but the total economic output of those exports was $13.69 billion.
Besides ethanol and its co-products, the study also examined the economic impact of other grain and grain product exports. These include corn, barley, sorghum and corn-equivalent meat products. On a national level, it said grain and grain product exports in 2014 increased GDP by $32.9 billion and supported 371,536 jobs.
On a micro-level, the study said grain and grain product exports in 2014 in Minnesota was valued at $512.82 million, contributed $382 million to GDP, supported 3,988 jobs and had a total economic output of $1.17 billion.
When narrowed down to congressional districts, the study noted that grain and grain product exports from Minnesota's first congressional district, which is represented by Congressman Tim Walz, was valued at $289.07 million, supported 910 jobs, contributed $77 million to GDP and had a total economic output of $416 million.
There are 11 ethanol plants in Minnesota's first congressional district that produce 698 million gallons of ethanol annually. These plants include Al-Corn Clean Fuel in Claremont, Guardian Energy in Janesville, Heron Lake Bioenergy in Heron Lake, Green Plains Renewable Energy in Formont.
In the Minnesota's seventh congressional district, represent by Congressman Collin Peterson, grain and grain product exports in 2014 were valued at $204.92 million, supported 887 jobs, contributed $70 million to GDP and had a total economic output of $318 million.
There are nine ethanol plants in Minnesota's seventh congressional district that produce 467 million gallons of ethanol annually. These plants include Granite Falls Energy in Granite Falls, ADM in Marshall, Heartland Corn Products in Winthrop and Highwater Ethanol in Lamberton.
The study also strangely included the economic impact of grain and grain product exports in Minnesota's second congressional district. The district, represented by Congressman John Kline, does not have any ethanol plants, but still registered $3.02 million in grain and grain product exports in 2014 and had an economic output of $6 million.
In total only 52 congressional districts were selected for the study and were included in accordance to the importance of agriculture in the district's economy.
Read the full study here.