July U.S. ethanol exports slipped 7% to a still-robust 136.0 million gallons (mg) amid mixed markets. Canada continued to be the top destination for the 40th consecutive month, accounting for an impressive 46% of all exports. Of the 62.0 mg landing in Canada, 95% was denatured fuel, marking the second-largest monthly shipment of denatured ethanol to the country. The bulk of the remaining ethanol exports were spread across five key markets. The United Kingdom imported a substantial 25.1 mg, despite a 2% decline. Exports to Colombia increased by 16%, reaching a five-month high of 14.2 mg. In contrast, India reduced its imports by 23%, down to 11.4 mg. Exports to South Korea surged 11-fold to 9.7 mg, while the European Union halved its imports, dropping to an eight-month low of 8.3 mg. Additionally, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, and the Philippines experienced significant declines, and Brazil remained absent from the market. Year-to-date U.S. ethanol exports have reached a record high of 1.10 billion gallons, running 38% ahead of last year's pace.
The U.S. did not log any meaningful imports of foreign ethanol in July (Canada shipped 9,018 gallons of undenatured fuel ethanol). Year-to-date imports stand at 1.4 mg.
U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS), the animal feed co-product generated by dry-mill ethanol plants, surged by 16% to 1.09 million metric tons (mt). For the seventh consecutive month, Mexico led the way as the top market, boosting its imports by 23% to a five-month high of 247,903 mt. Most other major markets also saw significant gains. South Korea increased by 6% to 123,725 mt, while the European Union surged by 56% to 84,446 mt, driven by a 161% rise in sales to Ireland. Turkey’s imports jumped 65% to 69,253 mt, and Vietnam edged up by 1% to 67,432 mt. Canada grew by 28% to 58,893 mt, and Japan doubled its imports to 55,412 mt. Thailand saw a 4% rise to 41,201 mt, reaching a 16-month high. Only Indonesia (-27% to 73,769 mt) and China (-1% to 52,123 mt) reduced their imports, yet both remained among the top ten global markets in July. The remaining 20% of U.S. DDGS exports were distributed across 28 other countries. Year-to-date DDGS exports have reached 6.97 million mt, up 15% compared to the same period last year.
