US ethanol exports hit 138 million gallons in February

In Washington, U.S. ethanol exports hit 138 million gallons in February, the third-highest monthly volume on record, according to government data released today and analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association. The February total falls short of only two other months—November 2011 (152.5 mg) and December 2011 (172.7 mg).

Brazil was again the top customer, taking in more than one-third of all U.S. ethanol exports (50.8 mg, or 37 percent) but 14 percent less than record shipments to Brazil in January. Canada also decreased its purchases in February with 24.7 mg (18 percent of total exports) entering the country. Sales to India, however, nearly doubled from the prior month, increasing from 13.2 mg to 24.3 mg. The United Arab Emirates (10.1 mg) and the Philippines (7.0 mg) were other significant importers in February. Year-to-date exports stood at 259.8 mg, up nearly 70 percent from the year-ago total of 154.1 mg.

Exports of U.S. undenatured fuel ethanol rose by 14 percent over January to a record volume of 106.3 mg—nearly double the quantity shipped two months prior. About half of the undenatured product (50.8 mg) went to Brazil. India received a quarter of U.S. undenatured fuel ethanol (24.2 mg), up 118 percent from its January intake. The UAE (10.1 mg) and Philippines (7.0 mg) rounded out top markets for undenatured fuel ethanol. Denatured fuel ethanol exports in February experienced a slight uptick, rising 1 percent to 26.7 mg. Canada and Peru again accounted for the bulk of the market, receiving 23.6 mg (88 percent) and 3.0 mg (11 percent), respectively.