Ethanol exports surge 41% in March

In Washington, U.S. ethanol exports rebounded sharply in March, surging 41% to 195.8 million gallons (mg) amid broad-based improvements across most major markets. Shipments were 23% higher than year-ago levels. March also marked Canada’s fourth consecutive year as the leading destination for U.S. ethanol, with exports climbing 27% to a six-month high of 64.5 mg—accounting for two-thirds of March’s denatured ethanol sales. Exports to the United Kingdom, the largest foreign market for U.S. undenatured fuel ethanol, more than tripled to an 11-month high of 30.0 mg. The European Union boosted its imports by 21% to 21.2 mg, India’s imports rose 42% to 18.8 mg, and South Korea’s surged 80% to a ten-month high of 11.8 mg. Other notable markets included the Philippines (-28% to 10.8 mg), Colombia (+58% to 10.7 mg), Brazil (up from zero to 7.0 mg), Nigeria (up from zero to 5.8 mg), Mexico (-48% to 5.8 mg), and Peru (-10% to 5.5 mg). Collectively, these eleven markets accounted for 98% of total March ethanol exports. Cumulatively, U.S. ethanol exports for the first quarter reached 532.6 mg, a robust 19% increase over the same period last year.

The U.S. imported 1.6 mg of fuel ethanol in March, primarily sourced from Brazil. Cumulative imports for the first quarter totaled 3.33 mg, 19% ahead of the year-ago pace.