January 6, 2022 — U.S. ethanol exports in November ballooned to 149.4 million gallons (mg), up 43%, due in part to the largest volume of undenatured fuel ethanol exports since March 2020. Canada remained the top destination for U.S. ethanol for the eighth consecutive month with imports of 37.4 mg. Although reflective of a slight uptick from October, these exports were equivalent to the largest volumes crossing the border in over four years. Exports to Brazil expanded more than fivefold to a 20-month high of 27.1 mg. India’s imports were up 42% (19.9 mg) and equivalent to the largest volume in ten months. Shipments to the United Kingdom more than doubled to 14.3 mg, the country’s largest monthly exports of U.S. ethanol in more than nine years. Outside of those four countries, which represented two-thirds of U.S. ethanol exports in November, significant volumes landed in South Korea (10.5 mg, +54%), the Netherlands (6.8 mg, -51%), Mexico (6.2 mg, +16%), Nigeria (5.4 mg, +14%), and Peru (4.6 mg, +546%). Year-to-date shipments total 1.13 bg, or 6% less than the same period in 2020.
November was the first time in six months that the U.S. did not log foreign ethanol imports. Year-to-date U.S. ethanol imports total 58.4 mg.
U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS)—the animal feed co-product generated by dry-mill ethanol plants—eased 4% to 1.02 million metric tons (mt) despite an unprecedented volume hauled to Mexico (306,161 mt, +79%, and representing 30% of all shipments in November). Historically, this marks the largest monthly volume of U.S. DDGS exported to any country. Exports also expanded to South Korea (102,515 mt, +40%) and Ireland (54,277 mt, +138%). Although substantial markets, DDGS shipments declined to Vietnam (90,929 mt, -38%), Canada (82,533 mt, -1%), Indonesia (72,651 mt, -12%), China (58,774 mt, -4%), Japan (30,747, -37%), and Turkey (30,514 mt, -71%). Total DDGS exports through November were 10.66 million mt, which is 6% ahead of the same period in 2020.
