April Another Strong Month for U.S. Ethanol and DDGS Exports
In Washington, D.C., U.S. ethanol exports totaled 162.3 million gallons (mg) in April, according to government data released this morning and analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association. This represents a 25% drop from the near-record export volume recorded in March, but still tallied as the fourth-largest monthly export volume in six years. Brazil was the leading destination for U.S. ethanol exports for the sixth straight month, receiving 61.0 mg (38% of total exports), although shipments to the country scaled back by 36% from March.
Canada received 27.6 mg of U.S. ethanol in April, up 13% from March and a six-month high (17% market share). U.S. ethanol exports also flourished in several previously tepid markets in April, including Oman (12.6 mg, up 254% from March) and the Netherlands (11.4 mg, up 583%). The U.S. also continued modest export growth in India with a 4% gain over March with 12.3 mg. As predicted, China stepped completely out of the market for the first time in six months, as implementation of the additional 15% import duty shut out U.S. product. Year-to-date exports stood at 684.3 mg through April—44% stronger than the first four months of 2017—implying a record annualized export volume of 2.05 billion gallons.
Category: Fuels