The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) has released its 2010 production forecast for ethanol which indicates a positive trend for growth in the industry.

Total ethanol production for 2009 was 73.9 billion litres (19.5 billion gallons) according to data assembled by F.O. Licht. The GRFA predicts global production will reach 85.9 billion litres (22.7 billion gallons) in 2010, up more than 16 percent over last year. GRFA notes that level of production would displace the need for 370 million equivalent barrels of oil globally.

According to the organization, the United States is still the world leader in ethanol manufacturing with more than 45 billion litres (12 billion gallons) of ethanol production projected for this year. At the other end of the spectrum, many developing countries including Nigeria and Malawi are turning to ethanol to boost their economies and secure their future energy needs.