U.S. ethanol exports rebounded sharply in October, surging 25% to 185.0 million gallons (mg) and marking the strongest October on record. The gain was driven by record-high shipments of denatured fuel ethanol. Canada remained the top destination, boosting ethanol imports 38% to a record 90.7 mg and accounting for 49% of total U.S. ethanol exports for the month. Canada also absorbed 83% of all denatured fuel ethanol sales. Shipments to the European Union climbed 20% to 42.8 mg, with volumes routed almost entirely through the Netherlands, which remained the primary destination for undenatured fuel ethanol. Exports to the United Kingdom expanded fivefold to 13.2 mg, while shipments to South Korea likewise advanced fivefold to 9.4 mg. Exports to India eased 6% to 7.8 mg. Shipments to Mexico tripled to 7.6 mg, while exports to Colombia retreated 20% to 7.0 mg. Rounding out the top ten markets were the Philippines (1.8 mg), Jamaica (1.6 mg), and Norway (1.0 mg). Notably, Brazil exited the market after importing 2.6 mg in September. Year-to-date, U.S. ethanol exports totaled 1.75 billion gallons, running 13% ahead of last year’s pace.
The U.S. recorded no imports of foreign ethanol in October. Year-to-date ethanol imports stand at 3.6 mg.
U.S. exports of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS)—the high-protein coproduct of dry-mill ethanol plants—edged 1% higher in October to 1.07 million metric tons (mt). Mexico remained the largest destination, lifting imports 7% to 189,467 mt. Exports to South Korea dipped 2% to 144,665 mt, while shipments to Turkey jumped 26% to a 13-month high of 117,880 mt. Exports to Vietnam slipped 25% to 99,197 mt, shipments to Indonesia declined 9% to 95,834 mt, and exports to New Zealand contracted 22% to 60,000 mt. Other major markets included Canada (59,732 mt, +20%), the European Union (59,292 mt, -3%), the United Kingdom (48,674 mt, rebounding more than fivefold), and Colombia (41,102 mt, +9%). Year-to-date DDGS exports totaled 9.77 million mt, trailing last year’s pace by 3%.
The U.S. Census Bureau will issue November trade data on January 29, though the release of December statistics remains unscheduled. RFA will continue to monitor developments and notify stakeholders when the trade series returns to its normal release schedule.
