Ethanol exports jump 11% in May over April
In Washington, U.S. ethanol exports totaled 189.7 million gallons (mg) in May, rebounding 11% from April’s sharp downturn as shipments strengthened across most major markets. Canada remained the leading destination for denatured fuel ethanol, with exports climbing 18% to a six-month high of 76.3 mg. Exports to the European Union, led by the Netherlands, increased 15% to 39.1 mg, continuing to underpin demand for undenatured ethanol. Together, Canada and the EU accounted for 61% of total May exports. Nigeria imported 12.7 mg—its largest monthly volume of U.S. ethanol since December 2021—while exports to Colombia surged 72% to 10.9 mg. In contrast, shipments to South Korea fell 38% to 10.1 mg, and exports to the United Kingdom slipped 4% to 9.9 mg. Exports to Vietnam more than quadrupled to 7.7 mg, while exports to the Philippines declined 34% to 7.3 mg. Notably, exports to both Brazil and India remained essentially zero. Year-to-date U.S. ethanol exports reached 1.00 billion gallons, running 11% ahead of the same period last year.
U.S. fuel ethanol imports totaled 256,801 gallons in May, with Brazil supplying 70% and Canada accounting for the remaining 30%. Imports reached their highest monthly volume since March 2025. Still, through the first five months of 2026, total fuel ethanol imports stood at just 462,120 gallons.
Category: Fuels
