Minnesota’s ethanol industry contributed $2.1 billion to state’s GDP in 2024

In Minnesota, Minnesota’s ethanol industry contributed $2.1 billion to the state’s gross domestic product in 2024, according to a new study by the University of Minnesota Extension.

The study said 1.4 billion gallons of ethanol was produced in Minnesota last year, which in turn, generated $5.2 billion in economic activity and supported 18,434 jobs in the state.

In addition to ethanol, the industry also produced several valuable co-products including 4.13 million tons of dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS) and 463.8 million pounds of corn oil. 

DDGS are a major co-product from ethanol production and are typically used as a high-protein animal feed. According to the report, last year’s DDGS production in Minnesota from ethanol was enough to feed 2 million cattle, 2.5 million pigs, and 61.9 million turkeys and chickens.