U.S. ethanol exports for the first half of the current marketing year (MY) 2025/2026 now total more than one billion gallons and are up 13% year over year, which is on track to exceed last year’s record of 2.1 billion gallons, according to a recent USDA data update reported by U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC).

“Policy changes and removals of trade barriers have improved U.S. ethanol’s market competitiveness in several countries in the last year and continued advancements in other applications like marine fuel and sustainable aviation fuel will keep demand high into the future,” said Alicia Koch, USGBC director of global ethanol export development.

Canada continues to be the top market for U.S. ethanol, importing 432 million gallons so far, up nearly 17 percent from last year, as the European Union has almost doubled its imports to 252 million gallons, and Japan has increased its imports by nearly 14 percent.

Other notable changes from the recent data report include Brazil’s return as one of U.S. ethanol’s largest customers, up 350 percent to 78 million gallons imported. Nigeria also saw steady growth, at 16 percent and totaling 20 million gallons, emphasizing its role as a front-runner for ethanol adoption in the region.