Despite increased demand for ethanol in the U.S., imports declined in both September and October of this year, according to preliminary data supplied by the federal Energy Information Administration.
October imports of the plant-derived gasoline additive stood at 1.505 million barrels, down from 2.194 million barrels in September, and down from the record-high 3.203 million barrels in August. The October level is also below June and July import levels.
Brazil provided 824,000 barrels, down from 1.318 million barrels in September. Most of the Brazilian barrels were bound for the East Coast of the remainder, 105,000 barrels went to Houston and 101,000 barrels went to the West Coast.
Other suppliers of ethanol for the U.S. include China, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Canada and Trinidad.