U.S. ethanol production down 4.3% over previous week

In Washington, D.C., ethanol production decreased 4.3%, or 41,000 barrels per day (b/d), to 934,000 b/d—equivalent to 39.23 million gallons daily, according to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association. Production remained 12.4% below the same week last year. The four-week average ethanol production rate declined 1.0% to 964,000 b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 14.78 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks grew 1.4% to a 32-week high of 23.5 million barrels, which was 11.7% above a year-ago. Inventories built across all regions except the Rocky Mountains (PADD 4) and West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, increased 1.3% to 8.13 million b/d (124.60 bg annualized). Gasoline demand was 9.3% less than a year ago.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol rose 2.0% to 818,000 b/d, equivalent to 12.54 bg annualized. This was 7.5% below the year-earlier level as a result of the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the week. However, imports have been logged fifteen of the past 23 weeks. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of October 2020.)