Ethanol production hits highest level since COVID-19 pandemic began

October 21, 2021 |

In Washington, the Renewable Fuel Association says that according to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending October 15, ethanol production expanded by 64,000 barrels per day (b/d), or 6.2%, to 1.096 million b/d, equivalent to 46.03 million gallons daily. This is the third-highest volume on record and just 12,000 b/d below the all-time record.

Production was 20.0% above the same week last year, which was affected by the pandemic, and 10.0% above the same week in 2019. The four-week average ethanol production volume increased 4.5% to 1.005 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.41 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks rose 1.2% to 20.1 million barrels. Stocks were 1.8% above the year-ago level but 6.0% below the same week in 2019. Inventories increased across all regions except the West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, climbed 4.9% to 9.63 million b/d (147.69 bg annualized). Gasoline demand was 16.2% above a year ago and 0.5% more than the same week in 2019.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol decreased 0.3% to 901,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.81 bg annualized. Net inputs were 7.5% above a year ago but 2.9% less than the same week in 2019.

There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the fourth consecutive week. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of August 2021.)

Category: Fuels

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