U.S. ethanol exports increased to 188.8 million gallons (mg) in August, 15% above July and 24% ahead of year-ago levels, thanks to record-setting shipments to Canada and the European Union, accounting for nearly two-thirds of total volumes, according to the latest trade update from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).

Canada climbed 11% to 74.4 mg, remaining the top outlet and capturing 73% of all denatured fuel ethanol sold, while exports to the European Union skyrocketed 65% to 47.6 mg—almost entirely routed through the Netherlands, the principal destination for undenatured fuel ethanol. Beyond these markets, trade flows shifted sharply: Colombia climbed 43% to 14.1 mg to become the second-largest buyer of denatured product; India rebounded from 0.5 mg to 13.6 mg; the United Kingdom slid 50% to 10.6 mg; the Philippines eased 16% to 8.0 mg; Mexico jumped 35% to 6.7 mg; Jamaica leapt ninefold to 4.4 mg; South Korea held nearly steady at 3.8 mg; and Peru tumbled 56% to 3.7 mg. Brazil was notably absent from the market after taking 9.2 mg in July. Year-to-date U.S. ethanol exports reached 1.42 billion gallons, tracking 16% above the same period in 2024.

At the same time, U.S. exports of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) were up 10% in August to 1.17 million metric tons (mt), marking multi-month highs across major destinations and record shipments to Colombia, Honduras, and New Zealand. Year-to-date DDGS exports totaled 7.64 million mt, trailing last year’s pace by 4%.