U.S. ethanol exports leaned 4% higher in December to 220.3 million gallons (mg), representing the second-largest monthly volume on record. Roughly half of shipments went to Canada and the European Union, both of which recorded month-on-month declines that were offset by rebounds in several other major markets. Canada remained the leading destination, importing 66.4 mg (-14%) and accounting for roughly two-thirds of all denatured fuel ethanol sales. Exports to the European Union slipped 6% to 42.7 mg—almost entirely routed through the Netherlands—which remained the principal outlet for undenatured fuel ethanol. Shipments to Jamaica surged to a record 16.9 mg, while exports to the Philippines tripled to a seven-year high of 16.1 mg. India halved its purchases to 14.9 mg. Brazil re-entered the market with 13.3 mg, its highest import level since April 2022. Other major destinations included Colombia (9.7 mg, -25%), South Korea (8.8 mg, +215%), the United Kingdom (7.5 mg, -56%), and Nigeria (7.4 mg, +13%). For the full year, U.S. ethanol exports climbed to a new record of 2.18 billion gallons.
The U.S. recorded no imports of foreign ethanol in December. Total U.S. imports for the year reached just 3.7 mg, down 2% from 2024 and the lowest annual volume on record.
U.S. exports of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS)—the high-protein coproduct of dry-mill ethanol plants—declined 4% to an eight-month low of 894,665 metric tons (mt), reflecting softer demand across most major markets. Mexico, the largest buyer, cut imports 13% to a ten-month low of 164,406 mt. In contrast, Indonesia increased purchases 7% to a 20-month high of 112,706 mt. South Korea declined 7% to 110,538 mt, while Vietnam dropped 30% to 80,920 mt. Other notable markets included Canada (63,649 mt, +18%), New Zealand (60,000 mt, +49%), the United Kingdom (41,337 mt, +131%), and Turkey (38,220 mt, -52%). The remaining 25% of December exports were distributed across thirty additional countries. Strong momentum in the second half of the year lifted total U.S. DDGS exports to 11.60 million mt in 2025, the fourth-highest annual volume on record.
