U.S. ethanol exports are on track to set a new record for the third consecutive year, according to Ryan LeGrand, president and CEO of the U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council. Speaking last week at the American Coalition for Ethanol’s 39th annual conference, LeGrand highlighted robust demand driven by expanding middle classes abroad and supportive policies in key markets.
“When the marketing year ends this year, August 31st, we will have set a record three years in a row for ethanol exports,” said LeGrand. “Two years ago, it was 1.75 billion gallons. Last year, 2.15 billion gallons. This year, we’re going to finish out at the end of this month…at 2.35 billion gallons.”
Including nearly 200 million gallons of ethanol shipped to Japan as ETBE, LeGrand says the total will exceed 2.5 billion gallons. Through June, volumes were already up almost 10 percent year-over-year, with notable gains in Canada, the European Union, and even some shipments back to Brazil.
Canada remains the top market and could become the first billion-gallon destination as provinces push beyond E10. The EU and UK follow, with the recent U.S.-UK trade deal granting duty-free access to the full E10 market. India takes significant industrial volumes, while Colombia rounds out the top five.
Looking ahead, LeGrand pointed to Japan and Mexico as the highest-potential growth markets. Together, full E10 adoption in those two countries alone could generate 2.3 billion gallons of annual demand. Japan has committed to E10 by 2030, with trials starting in Okinawa in 2028; the U.S. expects to capture the majority share. Mexico’s allowable blend stands at 5.8%, with no blending yet in major cities, but President Claudia Sheinbaum supports higher blends, and LeGrand anticipates E10 within about 18 months.
To learn more, listen to LeGrand’s presentation and follow-up interview from the ACE conference.
Trade Keynote: Ryan LeGrand, President & CEO, U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council
Ryan LeGrand, USGBC, remarks 30:00
Interview with Ryan LeGrand, President and CEO, U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council
Ryan LeGrand, USGBC, interview 11:35