Ethanol exports rebounded 18% in September

In Washington, the Renewable Fuels Association reports U.S. ethanol exports rebounded 18% to 120.5 million gallons (mg) in September, thanks in part to global denatured fuel sales reaching an 18-month high. Canada was our largest destination for the 30th consecutive month with exports of 60.4 mg, accounting for half of total sales despite a 3% decrease from August. Exports to the United Kingdom climbed 1% to 13.6 mg while Colombia cut its U.S. imports by 23% to 8.3 mg. Virtually all remaining ethanol exports were distributed among ten markets, with the largest volumes landing in Oman (7.8 mg, up from zero and the largest volume in nearly 4 years), Mexico (5.5 mg, +167% to a 5-month high), South Korea (5.1 mg, up from essentially zero), the United Arab Emirates (4.8 mg, up from zero), the European Union (3.9 mg, -28% to a 9-month low), and Jamaica (3.2 mg, +149% to a 7-month high). Brazil and India again were notably absent from the market. Year-to-date ethanol exports total 1.04 billion gallons, trailing last year by 3% at this time.

The U.S. imported 6.8 mg of undenatured ethanol from Brazil, or 35% less than August. Year-to-date imports total 17.4 mg or 59% less than last year, which marks the lowest Q1-Q3 U.S. imports since 2010.