U.S. ethanol exports in December hit 220.3 million gallons (mg), representing the second-largest monthly volume on record, according to the latest Trade Monitor report from the Renewable Fuels Association. This means 2025 ethanol exports exceeded a record 2 billion gallons for the first time, well surpassing annual shipments of 1.94 billion gallons in 2024.

Roughly half of shipments went to Canada and the European Union, both of which recorded month-on-month declines that were offset by rebounds in several other major markets. Canada remained the leading destination, importing 66.4 mg (-14%) and accounting for roughly two-thirds of all denatured fuel ethanol sales. Exports to the European Union slipped 6% to 42.7 mg—almost entirely routed through the Netherlands—which remained the principal outlet for undenatured fuel ethanol. Shipments to Jamaica surged to a record 16.9 mg, while exports to the Philippines tripled to a seven-year high of 16.1 mg. India halved its purchases to 14.9 mg. Brazil re-entered the market with 13.3 mg, its highest import level since April 2022. Other major destinations included Colombia (9.7 mg, -25%), South Korea (8.8 mg, +215%), the United Kingdom (7.5 mg, -56%), and Nigeria (7.4 mg, +13%). For the full year, U.S. ethanol exports climbed to a new record of 2.18 billion gallons.

Meanwhile, U.S. exports of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) were down four percent in December to an eight-month low of 894,665 metric tons (mt), reflecting softer demand across most major markets.

Mexico, the largest buyer, cut imports 13% to a ten-month low of 164,406 mt. In contrast, Indonesia increased purchases 7% to a 20-month high of 112,706 mt. South Korea declined 7% to 110,538 mt, while Vietnam dropped 30% to 80,920 mt. Other notable markets included Canada (63,649 mt, +18%), New Zealand (60,000 mt, +49%), the United Kingdom (41,337 mt, +131%), and Turkey (38,220 mt, -52%). The remaining 25% of December exports were distributed across thirty additional countries. Strong momentum in the second half of the year lifted total U.S. DDGS exports to 11.60 million mt in 2025, the fourth-highest annual volume on record.