The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has just released the latest statistical reports on U.S. exports of ethanol and distillers grains in 2021.

The ethanol trade summary report shows that 1.24 billion gallons were exported in 2021, representing 8.3 percent of total U.S. ethanol production. While this is 5 percent lower than 2020, it remains the fifth-largest export volume in history and, at $2.77 billion, the value of those exports was the second-highest on record.

U.S. ethanol was shipped to 88 countries and Canada remained the top export destination, taking in 30 percent of U.S. ethanol exports in 2021, followed by India and South Korea. Overall exports fell mainly as a result of lower shipments to Brazil, which were 59 percent below 2020 levels, when it ranked as the second-leading market for U.S. ethanol exports.

The second trade summary report covers co-product exports, including distillers grains, a high-protein feed ingredient for livestock and poultry. Distillers grains exports totaled 11.6 million metric tons in 2021, a slight improvement over 2020 and the third-largest annual volume on record, representing 36 percent of U.S. distillers grains production.

Distillers grains were exported to more than 50 countries. Mexico remained the top destination for U.S. distillers grains, representing 21 percent of total shipments, followed by Vietnam and South Korea. U.S. distillers grains exports set a record in 2021 with an aggregate value of $3 billion.

Listen to RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper talk about how U.S. ethanol exports continued to be impacted by the COVID pandemic last year in this segment from the recent Ethanol Report.
RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper 4:09