U.S. ethanol exports totaled 40.9 million gallons (mg) in April, down 30% from March and the lowest monthly total since November 2012, according to government data released today. Total exports through the first four months of 2013 stood at 205.8 mg, implying an annual total of 617.4 mg. Meanwhile, U.S. fuel ethanol imports in April hit their lowest point since May 2012, totaling just 17.1 mg.
Exports of denatured ethanol for fuel use totaled 26.2 mg in April, the lowest in 2½ years (November 2010). Canada was again the leading destination, receiving 23.2 mg. Peru was the only other notable customer for denatured fuel ethanol exports in April, taking in 2.7 mg.
Shipments of undenatured ethanol for fuel use tallied 13.8 mg for the month, with Finland the top destination at 5.2 mg. The Philippines (2.7 mg), Mexico (2.4 mg), Jamaica (2.2 mg), and Brazil (1.2 mg) were other top customers. Exports of denatured and undenatured ethanol for non-ethanol industrial uses were just over 900,000 gallons.
Ethanol imports in April registered at 17.1 mg, with all of the product coming directly from Brazil. Year-to-date ethanol imports stood at 136.2 mg, implying an annualized total of 408 mg—well below the 666 mg EPA expects will be needed to meet the RFS2 advanced biofuels standard.
Distillers grains exports jumped to their highest level of the year in April, up 16% from March. Shipments totaled 688,000 metric tons (mt) for the month, with China again serving as the top buyer (271,260 mt). Mexico (97,803), South Korea (58,507 mt), Canada (40,342 mt), and Turkey (37,004 mt) were other leading customers. Year-to-date distillers grains exports were 2.48 million mt, implying annual shipments of 7.45 million mt.
