Exports of U.S. ethanol and the co-product dried distillers grains (DDGS) both increased in March, according to the latest RFA Trade Monitor report.

U.S. ethanol exports rebounded sharply in March, surging 41% to 195.8 million gallons (mg) amid broad-based improvements across most major markets. Shipments were 23% higher than year-ago levels. March also marked Canada’s fourth consecutive year as the leading destination for U.S. ethanol, with exports climbing 27% to a six-month high of 64.5 mg—accounting for two-thirds of March’s denatured ethanol sales. Exports to the United Kingdom, the largest foreign market for U.S. undenatured fuel ethanol, more than tripled to an 11-month high of 30.0 mg. The European Union boosted its imports by 21% to 21.2 mg, India’s imports rose 42% to 18.8 mg, and South Korea’s surged 80% to a ten-month high of 11.8 mg. Other notable markets included the Philippines (-28% to 10.8 mg), Colombia (+58% to 10.7 mg), Brazil (up from zero to 7.0 mg), Nigeria (up from zero to 5.8 mg), Mexico (-48% to 5.8 mg), and Peru (-10% to 5.5 mg). Collectively, these eleven markets accounted for 98% of total March ethanol exports. Cumulatively, U.S. ethanol exports for the first quarter reached 532.6 mg, a robust 19% increase over the same period last year.

DDGS increased 21% in March to 1.03 million metric tons (mt), led by a 79% surge in shipments to top customer Mexico, rebounding sharply from a four-year low in February.

Exports to South Korea edged 3% lower to 114,681 mt, while shipments to Indonesia jumped 66% to a nine-month high of 93,483 mt. Exports to Colombia and Vietnam each advanced 25%, reaching 92,712 mt and 83,665 mt, respectively. Collectively, these five markets accounted for half of March’s total DDGS exports. Other sizable destinations included Canada (-13% to 49,864 mt), Turkey (-4% to 40,211 mt), Japan (-3% to 40,177 mt), the European Union (-28% to 38,520 mt), and Thailand (+147% to 34,244 mt). The remaining quarter of exports was distributed across 26 additional markets. Cumulatively, U.S. DDGS exports for the first quarter totaled 2.69 million mt, trailing the prior year’s pace by 9%.