December Ethanol Exports Make 2025 Top 2 Billion Gallons

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

U.S. ethanol exports in December hit 220.3 million gallons (mg), representing the second-largest monthly volume on record, according to the latest Trade Monitor report from the Renewable Fuels Association. This means 2025 ethanol exports exceeded a record 2 billion gallons for the first time, well surpassing annual shipments of 1.94 billion gallons in 2024.

Roughly half of shipments went to Canada and the European Union, both of which recorded month-on-month declines that were offset by rebounds in several other major markets. Canada remained the leading destination, importing 66.4 mg (-14%) and accounting for roughly two-thirds of all denatured fuel ethanol sales. Exports to the European Union slipped 6% to 42.7 mg—almost entirely routed through the Netherlands—which remained the principal outlet for undenatured fuel ethanol. Shipments to Jamaica surged to a record 16.9 mg, while exports to the Philippines tripled to a seven-year high of 16.1 mg. India halved its purchases to 14.9 mg. Brazil re-entered the market with 13.3 mg, its highest import level since April 2022. Other major destinations included Colombia (9.7 mg, -25%), South Korea (8.8 mg, +215%), the United Kingdom (7.5 mg, -56%), and Nigeria (7.4 mg, +13%). For the full year, U.S. ethanol exports climbed to a new record of 2.18 billion gallons.

Meanwhile, U.S. exports of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) were down four percent in December to an eight-month low of 894,665 metric tons (mt), reflecting softer demand across most major markets.

Mexico, the largest buyer, cut imports 13% to a ten-month low of 164,406 mt. In contrast, Indonesia increased purchases 7% to a 20-month high of 112,706 mt. South Korea declined 7% to 110,538 mt, while Vietnam dropped 30% to 80,920 mt. Other notable markets included Canada (63,649 mt, +18%), New Zealand (60,000 mt, +49%), the United Kingdom (41,337 mt, +131%), and Turkey (38,220 mt, -52%). The remaining 25% of December exports were distributed across thirty additional countries. Strong momentum in the second half of the year lifted total U.S. DDGS exports to 11.60 million mt in 2025, the fourth-highest annual volume on record.

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Ag Economist Stresses Importance of E15

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At the recent 2026 Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau annual meeting, Washington ag consultant Jim Wiesemeyer emphasized the critical role of domestic ethanol demand — particularly year-round E15 sales — in supporting U.S. corn growers amid low commodity prices and cash flow pressures.

Wiesemeyer stressed that expanding E15 could significantly boost corn consumption and help reduce burdensome carryover stocks. “If we get year-round E15, it will be very good for the consumption of corn,” Wiesemeyer said. “And that’s going to whittle down those stocks. If you whittle down carryover, that means higher prices, or should be.”

Wiesemeyer says the U.S. lags behind other countries using E25 or E30 blends, calling for higher levels like E20 or E25 to further drive demand. “We really should be at E20 or E25,” he said. “Look at other countries around the world. They’re going E25, E30. So we’re behind the curve on that one. That’s for the future. That’s building for the future to more domestic consumption.”

With farmers facing consecutive low-price years, Wiesemeyer views expanded domestic utilization as a jobs creator and market stabilizer, reducing reliance on volatile exports. Combined with the 45Z clean fuel tax credit and potential RFS increases for 2026-2027, these policies could provide much-needed demand signals. As congressional efforts for permanent nationwide E15 continue amid ongoing debates and missed deadlines, Wiesemeyer remains optimistic that progress on year-round access would temper market negatives and bolster farm incomes by harvest time.

Wiesemeyer gave an update on the agricultural economy at the CIRB annual meeting. Learn more in this interview.
Jim Wiesemeyer, Informa Economics (18:29)

2026 CIRB Annual Meeting Photo Album

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US Corn Growers Meet with EU Ethanol Interests

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NCGA President Jed Bower answers questions about the corn crop during a meeting in Spain

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) leaders recently traveled to the European Union (EU) with the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) to meet with major end-users and handlers of U.S. ethanol and feed grains.

The group included NCGA President Jed Bower, NCGA Chairman Kenny Hartman, NCGA CEO Neil Caske,; and NCGA First Vice President Matt Frostic who were able to offer detailed perspectives from the position of U.S. corn farmers. 

The delegation began its journey in Spain for a meeting with Vertex, a leading ethanol producer in Spain and France which began using U.S. corn at one of its plants, confirming a higher ethanol yield compared to corn of other origins.

Next, the group attended a roundtable with CESFAC, a non-profit organization representing the Spanish compound feed industry, and other key stakeholders from across the Spanish feed sector, including importers, traders, end-users of corn and corn co-products and industry association leaders.

Attendees spoke about demand for U.S. grains in the country and Council staff presented the results of its 2025/2026 Corn Harvest Quality Report to bring importers the latest information about U.S. grain quality, nutritional constitution and added value in feed diets.

The next stop on the agenda was The Netherlands for a visit to one of the major regional liquid chemical storage providers at the Port of Rotterdam to understand the supply chain and the logistical process of exporting U.S. ethanol into the EU. Later, the team met with Alco Group, the largest bioethanol plant in the EU, that produces more than 171 million gallons each year.

Finally, the group traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark to visit Maersk’s headquarters. Maersk is the world’s second largest shipping company and is exploring the possibility of incorporating ethanol as a marine fuel for its fleet.

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Ten Scholarships Awarded for National Ethanol Conference

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Renewable Fuels Foundation 2025 NEC Scholarship Winners

The Renewable Fuels Foundation announces 10 recipients this year of the Robert Sather Memorial Scholarship, which annually offers opportunities for college students and members of the Renewable Fuels Association’s Young Professionals Network to attend the 2026 National Ethanol Conference, February 24–26 in Orlando.

2026 scholarship recipients include five university students:
Addie Gauck, a second-year student at Purdue University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agriculture systems management.
Felipe Almeida, a research assistant in ag economics at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Miriam Nwaogaraku, a graduate assistant at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, working toward a master’s degree in professional science, with a sustainable energy emphasis.
Samantha Cookson, an undergraduate student in chemical engineering at the University of Ottawa.
Shalom Iboh, a PhD candidate at the University of Florida, developing mathematical models for co-optimizing biofuel processes and products from renewable feedstocks.

Scholarships were also awarded to five members of RFA’s Young Professionals Network:
Brett Schrock, projects and research manager at Nebraska Ethanol Board.
Denise Atkinson, marketing manager at Chase Nedrow.
Emily Johnson, merchandiser at KAAPA Ethanol.
Verena Hopkins, sales representative at IFF.
Kayla McCaslin, accounting coordinator at Valero Energy.

The NEC scholarship program is named in honor of Robert “Bob” Sather, an educator who helped found Ace Ethanol. Sather was a longtime chairman of the Renewable Fuels Foundation, whose mission is to meet the research and education needs of the U.S. fuel ethanol industry. The aim of the Bob Sather Memorial Scholarship is to reach young adults aspiring to a career related to renewable fuels, open new doors for them, and present new perspectives on ethanol’s place in our world today and in the future.

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No E15 Bill to Consider

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

It should come as no shock to anyone that the deadline for the “E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council” to come up with legislation for Congress came and went February 15 without any notice and the House of Representatives is off this week, making it unlikely anything will be done before the end of the month. But the ethanol industry remains determined to get this issue resolved after fighting for so many years.

The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, and the National Corn Growers Association released a joint statement Tuesday regarding the lack of progress toward a permanent, legislative fix offering consumers year-round access to E15.

“Year-round, nationwide E15 is an urgent priority for rural America, and it can’t wait. House leaders already have bipartisan, consensus legislation that has broad support from the overwhelming majority of biofuels, agriculture, fuel retail, and oil refining interests. The solution is on the table, and we urge council members to refocus their attention on proposals that already have widespread support. Year-round E15 will deliver real savings for hard-working families and open a reliable market for U.S. farmers struggling to stay afloat. We cannot allow a tiny handful of mid-sized refiners to take year-round E15 hostage while demanding outlandish handouts, just to line their pockets at the expense of everyone else,” said RFA President & CEO Geoff Cooper, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor, and Ohio farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower.

The “Council” was just created on January 22, after Congress failed to adopt E15 legislation as part of the recent appropriations bill, and charged with developing “legislative solutions to address the crisis facing our nation’s farmers and refiners.”

Directed to “investigate topics including, but not limited to, the sale of Ethanol-15, U.S. refinery capacity, the Renewable Fuel Standard Program, Renewable Identification Numbers, access to markets, and federal regulations that hinder American energy dominance,” the council was to develop “legislative solutions” by February 15 to be considered no later than February 25. Reps. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) and Randy Feenstra (R-IA), were assigned as co-chairs of the council.

The council has faced criticism for only including Republicans and has been unable to overcome opposition from a handful of refineries that would stand to lose access to exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw said the industry cannot afford to give up on this issue. “This is no time for quitting on E15,” said Shaw. “Farmers and consumers are counting on Congress and President Trump to finish the job for E15….Congress needs to prove it can function, because we’re getting fed up with the dysfunction.”

While February 15 has passed, Shaw points out the rule authorizing the Council gave until the end of the month for floor action on E15.

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E15 Sales Set Another Record in MN

Cindy Zimmerman

Sales of 15 percent ethanol blended fuel, known as E15 or Unleaded 88, set another record in Minnesota last year.

The final report for 2025 out from the Minnesota Department of Commerce last week showed a one percent increase in Unleaded 88/E15 sales in 2025, totaling 144.34 million gallons compared to 142.89 million gallons in 2024. Last year was the fourth straight year annual sales in the state exceeded 100 million gallons.

“The record sales of Unleaded 88 in Minnesota over the last five years show that despite regulatory uncertainty from Washington, D.C., retailers continue to expand access and consumers continue to fill up with E15. That’s because it works in any car 2001 and newer and saves drivers between $0.15 and $0.30 per gallon. As the ‘E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council’ continues to consider a framework for passing year-round E15, we urge them to listen to consumers who are clearly demanding permanent access to a better fuel at a better price,” said Brian Werner, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.

According to MN Biofuels, Unleaded 88 is now available at 552 stations in the state. BP became the latest brand to offer Unleaded 88 in Minnesota last year, joining Amoco, ARCO, Casey’s, Cenex, Holiday, Hy-Vee, Kwik Trip, Little Dukes, Love’s, Marathon, Minnoco and Speedway.

E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News

EPA and USDA Officials to Speak at NEC

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association has announced key officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency will be speaking at the upcoming National Ethanol Conference Feb. 24-26 in Orlando.

On Wednesday, Feb. 25, attendees will hear from Aaron Szabo, assistant administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Air and Radiation. This office oversees implementation of Clean Air Act programs, including the Renewable Fuel Standard. Szabo is expected to address the work of the Trump administration on ethanol, including EPA’s proposal creating the highest-ever renewable volume obligations under the RFS, the issuance of emergency waivers allowing year-round sale of E15, and the agency’s swift efforts to reform vehicle tailpipe GHG standards and remove the federal EV mandate.

The following day, Daniel Whitley, administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service, will provide an update on global trade policy issues affecting the ethanol industry at a time when we are seeing record exports of ethanol—more than 2 billion gallons in 2025. As the Trump administration has focused on new trade agreements around the world, expanding ethanol exports has been a priority in many of them.

Click here for more information and to register for the 2026 National Ethanol Conference.

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Handful of Refiners Holding E15 Hostage

Cindy Zimmerman

Image shared on social media by Nebraska Ethanol Board chairman Jan tenBensel

An historic alignment of agreement between the oil and ethanol industries is being held hostage by a small number of refiners, threatening the future of nationwide, year-round E15 (15% ethanol fuel).

Nebraska Ethanol Board chairman Jan tenBensel shared a graphic on social media last week calling out six refining companies by name with a combined revenue of nearly $172 billion. “The handful of refining companies trying to kill the year-round E15 bill make more money than all of our nation’s farmers and ranchers combined! Yet, they say they need RFS “hardship exemptions” to avoid blending ethanol and biodiesel? Give me a break!,” tenBensel said on X.

The companies named are Tennessee-based Delek US, HF Sinclair, Canadian companies Cenovus Energy and Suncor Energy, CVR Energy in Texas, and Houston-based Par Pacific.

L-R: RFA’s Troy Bredenkamp; Matt Durand, NACS; and Iowa RFA’s Monte Shaw

The impact the refinery hold-outs could have on the push to get E15 legislation completed this month in Congress was discussed at last week’s Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit.

“I think this is a story of more than 95% of the liquid fuel supply chain on one side and six billion dollar companies masquerading as small refiners on the other side. And I think that retailers are firmly on the right side of that,” said Matt Durand, Deputy Legal Counsel, National Association of Convenience Stores.

Troy Bredenkamp, Senior Vice President of Government & Public Affairs for the Renewable Fuels Association, said the support for E15 is significant, but the retailers who are opposed are powerful. “We have probably 100% of the ag community in support or neutral. We have 100% of the retail segment in support or neutral, certainly the biofuel segment in support,” he said. “So you really have these outlying midstream refineries, publicly traded mostly, some of them are foreign-owned, that are the losers in the new deal. When you’re talking about shrinking the size of the small refining sector from 37 facilities down to 17, there’s losers in that group.”

Bredenkamp says there are about 20 refineries in total, with the six named mid-size refineries owning multiple facilities. “So there’s a windfall that they’re going to be out of if they don’t continue to get small refinery exemptions. The 5 or 6 in that category have friends in high places. And so those are the ones that we’re up against.”

Listen to comments from Bredenkamp, Durand, and Iowa RFA Executive Director Monte Shaw during a panel discussion at the summit.
Iowa RFA E15 (7:24)

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E15 Deadline Coincides with Ethanol Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Ethanol Conference is coming up February 24-26 in Orlando, coinciding this year with an important deadline facing the recently formed E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council, which has been having meetings over the past week in Washington D.C.

The council is tasked with submitting a legislative proposal by February 15 with the goal of considering the bill by February 25. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says that will make the NEC interesting. “The whole focus of our event this year is on unleashing American ethanol, unleashing new opportunities for corn growers, and unfortunately the pathway to doing that often runs through Washington DC or through state capitols,” said Cooper. “So we will have a heavy focus on what are those solutions for unleashing greater ethanol demand, greater demand for corn, greater value for both commodities, and E15 is a big part of that.”

Other topics to be addressed at NEC 2026 include energy, ag, and tax policy issues; the impact of AI in the ethanol marketplace, global demand for ethanol, maritime markets, 45Z tax credit opportunities, and updates from USDA and EPA.

Listen to Cooper’s NEC preview.
2026 NEC preview 3:54

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Winter Weather Impacts Ethanol Production

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol production plunged along with the temperatures across the country last week, according to the latest EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending January 30.

Ethanol production dropped 14.2% to 956,000 b/d, equivalent to 40.15 million gallons daily and the lowest weekly volume since mid-April 2024, reflecting the effects of the winter storm. Output was 14.0% lower than the same week last year and 8.8% below the three-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate declined 3.2% to 1.10 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.85 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks decreased 1.0% to 25.1 million barrels. Stocks were 4.8% less than the same week last year and 0.3% below the three-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol fell 10.4% to 791,000 b/d, equivalent to 12.16 bg annualized. Ethanol exports expanded 37.6% to an estimated 216,000 b/d (9.1 million gallons/day).

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