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U.S. ethanol exports moved three percent lower in October after an up month in September, but still maintained a respectable 117.1 million gallons (mg), according to the latest report from the Renewable Fuels Association. Year-to-date exports, totaling 1.16 billion gallons, are steady with last year at this time.

Canada was our largest destination for the 31st consecutive month with exports of 64.6 mg (94% denatured) accounting for 55% of total sales on a 7% increase from September. This is the largest single-country purchase since Brazil’s offtake in March 2019. The U.S. exported 13.7 mg to India (following four months of near-zero volumes) and 12.6 mg to the United Kingdom (down 8% from September). Virtually all remaining ethanol exports were distributed among seven markets, with the largest volumes landing in the Philippines (6.5 mg, +176%), South Korea (6.0 mg, +17%), Peru (5.7 mg, +89%), and Mexico (5.1 mg, -9%). Brazil again was notably absent from the U.S. ethanol export market.

Exports of the ethanol co-product dried distillers grains (DDGS) dropped by 13% in October to a six month low of 896,708 metric tons (mt). Mexico remained the largest destination for the sixteenth consecutive month with exports of 193,524 mt, down four percent from September. So far this year, U.S. DDGS exports total 8.99 million mt, four percent behind last year at this time.

U.S. ethanol exports were up 18% in September to 120.5 million gallons (mg), thanks in part to global denatured fuel sales reaching an 18-month high, according to the latest analysis from the Renewable Fuels Association.

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.

Exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS) also rebounded in September, up 9% to 1.03 million metric tons (mt). Mexico remained the number one destination for the 15th consecutive month with exports of 201,607 mt, despite a 14% decrease from August.

DDGS exports revived in Vietnam (139,553 mt, +6% to a 12-month high), South Korea (110,316 mt, +32% to a 5-month high), and Canada (63,359 mt, +7% to a 3-month high). The other half of September exported DDGS was distributed to 32 markets, with larger volumes heading to Indonesia (61,961 mt), the United Kingdom (61,807 mt), and Colombia (40,299 mt). Year-to-date U.S. DDGS exports total 8.09 million mt, which lags 6% behind last year at this time despite an upward trendline.