U.S. ethanol exports dropped one percent in September to 209.0 million gallons (mg), but remain 14% ahead of the same period last year, according to the latest Trade Monitor report from the Renewable Fuels Association.

Eighty percent of shipments were concentrated in just four markets, led once again by Canada, where exports climbed 10% to a record 93.5 mg, accounting for 45% of total U.S. ethanol exports and 71% of denatured fuel ethanol shipments. Exports to the European Union declined 18% to 42.4 mg, with less than half entering through the Netherlands—a departure from recent patterns—although the EU remained the leading destination for undenatured fuel ethanol. Shipments to Vietnam surged 66% to 17.2 mg, while India rebounded from virtually no imports in August to 14.1 mg. Other major markets included the United Kingdom (13.1 mg), Colombia (10.3 mg), Mexico (5.5 mg), and the Philippines (5.3 mg). Brazil remained largely absent from the market for the sixth consecutive month.

In the same month, exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS) declined 16% to 1.09 million metric tons (mt) after gaining 18% in August.

Mexico remained the leading destination despite a 15% decline to 183,020 mt. Shipments also fell to Indonesia (176,514 mt, down 13%), South Korea (124,249 mt, down 20%), and Vietnam (90,382 mt, down 18%). In contrast, several mid-sized markets posted gains, including Colombia (85,957 mt, up 31%), the European Union (77,782 mt, up 201%), Canada (51,332 mt, up 2%), and the United Kingdom (45,238 mt, up 93%), where shipments reached a three-year high. Through the first nine months of 2026, U.S. DDGS exports totaled 9.66 million mt, exceeding the year-earlier pace by 12%.