By Ann Lewis, Senior Analyst
U.S. ethanol exports edged 1% lower to 111.9 million gallons (mg). Nearly all gallons (99%) landed in just 10 markets, with Canada serving as our largest destination for the 27th consecutive month and representing 45% of June sales. The U.S. shipped 50.8 mg of ethanol north of our border—0.3% less than May and the third largest on record—which included 65% of total U.S. denatured fuel exports for the month. The European Union imported 15.8 mg (nearly a third less than May), while the United Kingdom imported 13.5 mg (a 40% month-over month jump). Rounding out the major markets are South Korea (10.3 mg, +6%), Peru (5.5 mg, -11%), Colombia (5.5 mg, -9%), Mexico (4.1 mg, +181%), Nigeria (3.3 mg, up from zero), Singapore (1.0 mg, up from essentially zero), and Jamaica (0.5 mg, -83%). Brazil and India were notably absent from the market. U.S. ethanol exports for the first half of 2023 total 704.9 mg, coming in 11% below last year at this time.
For the sixth consecutive month, the U.S. did not register any meaningful imports of foreign ethanol.
U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS), the animal feed co-product generated by dry-mill ethanol plants, totaled 949,904 metric tons (mt) in June. While this was 1% less than May and 6% behind year-ago volumes, most of our larger markets experienced appreciable growth. Mexico captured the largest market share (20%) for the 12th consecutive month with imports of 189,364 mt, up 16% from May. Vietnam imported 112,176 mt, up 34% to an 8-month high, and Indonesia imported 92,083, up 3% to an 11-month high. Other substantial markets included South Korea (88,104 mt, -15%), the European Union (75,562 mt, up fivefold to a 9-month high), Canada (71,153, +20% to an 11-month high), Turkey (46,612 mt, -68%), and Israel (39,803 mt, +29% to an 11-month high). DDGS exports for the first half of 2023 total 5.12 million mt, lagging 10% behind last year at this time.
