RFA releases statistical reports on 2020 ethanol, distillers grains exports

In Washington, D.C., the Renewable Fuels Association released two reports summarizing 2020 U.S. ethanol and distillers grains export and import data. These annual reports provide industry advocates, policymakers, the media and the general public with the latest information on the important role U.S. ethanol and distillers grains play on the world stage.

“Exports continued to be a major demand driver for the U.S. ethanol industry in 2020, even as producers coped with the impacts of a global pandemic and ongoing trade wars,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “As these reports show, the value of our industry’s exports approached $5 billion in 2020, making a significant contribution our nation’s balance of trade and underscoring the growing worldwide need for low-carbon, high-octane fuel and high-protein animal feed. U.S. ethanol producers should be proud of the positive impact they had on the lives of millions of consumers around the globe in 2020.”

The export/import trade summary report on ethanol provides annual and monthly data on U.S. ethanol exports, highlighting the fact that more than 1.334 billion gallons—10 percent of the ethanol produced in the United States—were exported in 2020. While this is 9 percent lower than 2019, it remains the fourth largest export volume in history. This ethanol, valued at $2.33 billion, was shipped to 90 countries on six continents. Canada was the top export destination, taking in nearly a quarter of U.S. ethanol exports, followed by Brazil and India.

The United States brought in less than 200 million gallons of ethanol imports, meaning the industry remained a net exporter by a large margin in 2020. Maps depicting the leading ports of entry and departure for U.S. ethanol imports and exports are offered in the reports, as are figures showing the annual economic value of U.S. ethanol exports.

The second report released today covers U.S. exports of distillers grains, a high-protein co-product of dry mill ethanol production used in livestock and poultry feed, which totaled 10.958 million metric tons in 2020, a slight improvement on 2019 and the seventh straight year these exports exceeded 10 million metric tons. A record high share of total U.S. distillers grains production—38 percent—was  exported in 2020. Mexico remained the top destination for U.S. distillers grains, representing 16 percent of total shipments, followed by Vietnam and South Korea. U.S. distillers grains exports had an aggregate value of $2.33 billion in 2020, the fifth highest on record.