Ethanol exports kick off 2026 strong
In Washington, U.S. ethanol exports kicked off 2026 at 212.1 million gallons (mg), despite slipping 4% month-over-month amid mixed demand across key markets. Canada retained its position as the top destination with a 5% increase to 70.0 mg, with denatured fuel ethanol accounting for 90% of the total and representing two-thirds of all denatured fuel ethanol exports in January. Brazil tripled its imports of U.S. ethanol to 36.4 mg, marking the largest monthly purchase in nearly six years. Exports to the European Union declined 18% to a six-month low of 35.1 mg, with the Netherlands serving as the primary recipient. Exports to India decreased 19% to 12.2 mg, while Colombia jumped 25% to 12.1 mg and the Philippines scaled back 29% to 11.4 mg. Direct shipments to the United Kingdom rose 6% to 8.0 mg. Other key markets included South Korea (7.0 mg, -20%), Vietnam (4.9 mg, up from zero for a 14-month high), and Mexico (4.1 mg, -35%).
The U.S. imported minimal volumes in January, with just 59,053 gallons arriving from Canada.
U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS), the animal feed co-product generated by dry-mill ethanol plants, jumped 13% to a three-month high of 1.01 million metric tons (mt) amid large swings among major markets. Mexico remained the largest destination with 226,324 mt, up 38% to a 10-month high. South Korea increased 9% to 120,911 mt. Colombia quadrupled to a record high of 104,959 mt. Indonesia decreased 19% to 91,660 mt, while Vietnam declined 12% to an 11-month low of 71,166 mt. Other larger markets included Turkey (59,570 mt, +56%), Canada (53,740 mt, -16%), and the European Union (34,623 mt, +88%). The remaining quarter of January shipments was distributed across another 28 countries.
Category: Fuels
