The new year began with a bang for U.S. ethanol exports, according to government data released today. Ethanol shipments (consisting of both denatured and undenatured, non-beverage, ethanol) totaled 57.2 million gallons in January, marking the second highest monthly total on record. However, the January total was down 20% from the all-time record of 71.9 million gallons. established in December 2010. These exports are not eligible for the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC), also called the blender's credit.
Of the total, 45.4 million gallons were denatured. Canada continued to be the top market for denatured ethanol exports, receiving 19.4 million gallons in January. The United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Finland, and the United Kingdom, respectively, were other top destinations for denatured product in January. Together, the top five importers received 98% of total U.S. denatured ethanol shipments in January.
The U.S. exported 11.8 million gallons of undenatured ethanol in January, with about half of that total going to Nigeria. The Netherlands and Mexico were the second- and third-leading importers in January. Together, the three countries received 97% of total undenatured ethanol exports in January.
At 714,000 metric tons, January exports of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) were virtually identical to December 2010 levels (713,600 metric tons). Exports to China—the leading export market in 2010—fell by 30% in January, likely as the result of China's DDGS anti-dumping investigation. January exports to China totaled 129,000 metric tons, down from 183,000 metric tons in December 2010. However, the drop in exports to China was offset by a surge in exports to Mexico. DDGS exports to Mexico jumped from 130,000 metric tons in December to 229,000 metric tons in January, a 76% increase.
Following Mexico and China, Canada was the third-leading market for DDGS exports in January, receiving 87,000 metric tons.
