U.S. exports of ethanol and the co-product dried distillers grains (DDGS) were hot in August, with ethanol increasing six percent to a five-month high and DDGS up by a whopping 18% in August to the highest monthly volume since August 2015.
According to the latest Trade Monitor report from the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol exports totaled 211.8 million gallons (mg) in August, supported by sizable gains across most major markets.
Canada remained the leading destination, with shipments climbing 14% to 84.8 mg, accounting for 40% of total U.S. ethanol exports and 58% of denatured fuel shipments. Exports to the European Union increased 2% to 51.6 mg, with most shipments entering through the Netherlands, while the EU remained the principal destination for undenatured fuel ethanol. Shipments to the United Kingdom jumped 52% to 19.5 mg, a 13-month high, and exports to Colombia surged 163% to 12.7 mg. Vietnam pulled back 44% to 10.4 mg following record-high shipments in July. Collectively, these five markets accounted for 85% of total U.S. ethanol exports in August. Other sizable destinations included Peru (8.0 mg), South Korea (6.7 mg), Mexico (5.7 mg), and Guatemala (4.8 mg). Brazil remained essentially absent from the market for the fifth consecutive month. Through August, U.S. ethanol exports totaled 1.62 billion gallons, running 12% ahead of the same period last year.
No U.S. ethanol imports were recorded in August, leaving year-to-date imports below 500,000 gallons.
DDGS exports totaled 1.30 million metric tons (mt) and Mexico remained the leading destination, with shipments rising 12% to 214,091 mt. Exports to Indonesia leapt 40% to a record 203,258 mt, while shipments to South Korea increased 13% to 155,816 mt. New Zealand also set a record, taking 143,066 mt. Exports to Vietnam declined 12% to 109,884 mt, while shipments to Turkey surged 234% to 80,820 mt. The remaining 30% of August DDGS exports were distributed across another 30 countries. Through August, U.S. DDGS exports totaled 8.57 million mt, 13% above the same period in 2025.