Ethanol Exports Offer Industry Opportunities

Cindy Zimmerman

There were a thousand and one reasons to attend the last session of the National Ethanol Conference Wednesday, and one of them was learning about the potential for expanding the global market for ethanol.

Exports of U.S. ethanol hit record highs last year and are booming as countries around the world recognize the economic and environmental benefits of American-made renewable fuels.

Renewable Fuels Association General Counsel Ed Hubbard moderated a panel on export opportunities with Everett Eissenstat with Squire Patton Boggs and Ryan LeGrand, U.S. Grains Council President and CEO, to examine the macro-level outlook for global trade under the new Trump Administration, as well as specific challenges and opportunities for expanding ethanol exports.

Eissenstat, a renowned global trade expert who has served in senior positions in Congress, the Office of the US Trade Representative, and the White House, said President Trump’s focus on trade reciprocity may help U.S. ethanol producers in some markets. “Brazil has a very unfair tariff barrier on U.S, ethanol…they’ve got an 18% tariff, which really has crushed the market in Brazil,” he said. “There’s also retaliatory tariffs in China. Maybe there could be some negotiations open that market up as well.”

LeGrand talked about the great potential for U.S. exports of ethanol and distillers grains and said the Grains Council is considering a name change to reflect that. “Ethanol market development makes up about 35% of our total budget and for the last couple of years I’ve been saying that ethanol is part of our identity and practice, but not in name. Which is why we have just recently asked our membership to consider an amendment to our organizational name to become the US grains and Bio Products Council to include ethanol.”

USGC membership will be voting on the name change in August.

Listen to the panel and a press interview with LeGrand here:
RFANEC Expanding Exports panel (45:18)
Ryan LeGrand, U.S. Grains Council (5:24)

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RFA Honors Rick Schwarck with Industry Award

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association honored ethanol industry pioneer Rick Schwarck with the 2025 Industry Award at the National Ethanol Conference in Nashville.

“Since co-founding Absolute Energy twenty years ago, Rick Schwarck has demonstrated remarkable leadership in advocating for ethanol, defending the policies that have helped our industry grow, and advancing ethanol’s scientific underpinnings,” RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper said. “He has also been a driving force in forging industry unity and collaboration. Rick has often played the role of peacemaker, and he has a special talent for bringing people together to solve complex problems. When there have been family squabbles—and there have been a few over the years—Rick is the calm voice of reason that helps everyone get back on the same page.”

Schwarck recently retired as CEO of Absolute Energy near St. Ansgar, Iowa but he continues to serve on of the biorefinery’s board of directors and represents the company as a board member of the Renewable Fuels Association, where he has previously served as board secretary.

RFANEC Industry Award (8:30)

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Rep. Feenstra Champions Ethanol at #RFANEC

Cindy Zimmerman

One of ethanol’s champions in Congress visited the National Ethanol Conference Tuesday to chat with members of the industry and Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper about many issues, including his strong support of nationwide, year-round E15.

Feenstra said it was frustrating to get so close with the inclusion of the provision in the Continuing Resolution in December and then to have it pulled at the last minute. “We said we’re going to do a clean CR until Marsh 15, so now we’re back at the table again,” said Feenstra. “We really want (E15) codified, I really believe within the next several months this is going to happen. There’s just not a lot of push back.”

In his discussion with Cooper, Feenstra touched on a number of topics, from the Inflation Reduction Act and tax credits. Feenstra also met with reporters at the NEC who asked about SAF, farm bill, cuts at USDA, exports and more. Listen below.

Rep. Feenstra and Geoff Cooper (22:56)
Rep. Feenstra and reporters

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Annual Ethanol Economic Analysis from RFA

Cindy Zimmerman

The latest economic impact analysis from the Renewable Fuels Association shows the ethanol industry’s contribution to the U.S. economy remained “robust” last year, as record-setting production offset the impact of lower commodity prices.

“2024 was another very good year following on the heels of 2023,” said RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman. “In terms of helping out in terms of what was a somewhat challenging year for growers, ethanol came through again.”

In 2024, the industry directly supported 56,000 U.S. jobs, along with an additional 258,000 indirect and induced jobs across all sectors of the economy. The industry created $28.3 billion in household income, contributed $53 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product, and generated more than $10 billion in tax revenues at the federal, state and local levels. Returns over operating costs averaged an estimated $0.26 per gallon, 40 percent lower than the average operating margin in 2023.

Richman says the report is especially significant this year as the increasing access to E15 ethanol blended gasoline nationwide, year-round is being seriously considered as a way to help the farm economy. “How much we contribute to the economy of rural America is vital right now,” said Richman.

In this interview, Richman also talks about record ethanol exports in 2024 and what might happen with the export market with President Trump’s intention to place reciprocal tariffs on Brazilian ethanol in reaction to Brazil’s 18 percent tariff on U.S. ethanol.

RFA economist Scott Richman (12:15)

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RFA CEO on the State of the Ethanol Industry

Cindy Zimmerman

As is tradition, the 30th annual National Ethanol Conference kicked off with the State of the Industry address from Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper, who highlighted the industry’s pivotal role in American agriculture and outlined how ethanol can once again help the farm sector thrive in the face of current economic challenges.

Cooper reflected on the industry’s rich history while also looking toward the future under the leadership of President Trump and a new Congress.

“From the early days of ‘gasohol’ during the Carter administration to the transformative passage of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2005, the ethanol industry has evolved into a cornerstone of both U.S. energy security and agricultural prosperity,” Cooper said. “The success of ethanol, driven by the RFS, has had a profound impact on American consumers and farmers alike, helping lower pump prices, enhance energy independence, and bolster rural communities.”

Click here for Cooper’s remarks as prepared.

State of the Industry Address – RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper
RFA CEO Geoff Cooper, Industry Address (35:56)

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NCGA Hires Director of Biofuels

Cindy Zimmerman

Lane Howard

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) recently announced the addition of Lane Howard to the organization’s staff as director of biofuels.

“Ethanol is one of our marquee issues and is important to rural economies,” said Sean Arians, vice president sustainable production and value chain engagement at NCGA. “We are thrilled to welcome a professional of Lane’s caliber to manage this important portfolio. He is the perfect fit for this role.”

With close to a decade of experience handling agricultural issues, Howard most recently managed the market development portfolio for the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and Missouri Corn Growers Association. In that role, he oversaw issues related to all corn use and demand growth, including biofuels, livestock, trade, new uses and research.

Howard officially started the position on Feb. 3.

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Year Round E15 Bill Reintroduced in Congress

Cindy Zimmerman

The bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act has been reintroduced in both Houses of Congress.

The legislation led by Senators Deb Fischer (R-ND) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in the Senate, and Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Angie Craig (D-MN) in the House would extend the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) volatility waiver to enable the year-round, nationwide sale of ethanol blends up to 15%. It also would supersede a regulation allowing eight Midwest states to offer year-round E15 starting in 2025, as that regional approach would no longer be necessary.

Sen. Fischer at 2024 ACE DC Fly-in

“It’s time to once and for all solidify President Trump’s pledge to allow the sale of year-round E15—giving America’s producers and consumers the certainty they deserve. My bill will put an end to years of patchwork regulations and finally make nationwide, year-round E15 a reality. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and the Senate, as well as with President Trump, to get this bill signed into law,” said Senator Fischer.

“This bipartisan legislation would finally bring nationwide consistency and stability to the marketplace and eliminate the need for last-minute emergency waivers,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper.

“We’re grateful to bipartisan leaders in the House and Senate for reintroducing this critically important legislation which would once and for all ensure nationwide and permanent E15 availability,” said American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings. “As the summer driving season quickly approaches, we will continue working with our Senate and House supporters to make E15 year-round a reality and are prioritizing this during our annual DC fly-in next month.”

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President Announces Reciprocal Tariffs on Brazil Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

President Donald Trump signed a Memorandum Thursday ordering the “development of a comprehensive plan for restoring fairness in U.S. trade relationships and countering non-reciprocal trading arrangements” and that includes Brazilian tariffs on U.S. ethanol.

The White House fact sheet on the plan notes “endless examples where our trading partners do not give the United States reciprocal treatment” and the first example is Brazil.

The U.S. tariff on ethanol is a mere 2.5%. Yet Brazil charges the U.S. ethanol exports a tariff of 18%. As a result, in 2024, the U.S. imported over $200 million in ethanol from Brazil while the U.S. exported only $52 million in ethanol to Brazil.

“And I think the farmers are going to be helped by this very much because product is being dumped into our country and our farmers are getting hurt very badly by the last administration,” said President Trump. “The last administration hated our farmers like at a level that I’ve never seen before. I think our farmers are going to be helped.”

Pres. Trump announces reciprocal tariffs (2:45)

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says the ethanol industry has been fighting Brazil on these tariffs for nearly a decade. “As the two largest ethanol producers on the planet, we long enjoyed a cooperative free-trade relationship with Brazil involving ethanol, relying on each other when there were shortfalls or disruptions in the U.S. or Brazilian marketplace. However, that bilateral cooperation was abandoned by Brazil in 2017, when they instituted a tariff rate quota scheme, and eventually adopted a tariff in 2020,” said Cooper. As a result, U.S. ethanol exports to Brazil went from 489 million gallons in 2018, with a value of $761 million, to just 28 million gallons in 2024, valued at $53 million.

Howard Lutnick, Secretary Nominee for the Department of Commerce, said the plan is for the tariffs to be implemented by April 1. “But remember, if they drop their tariffs, prices for Americans are coming down, our production’s going up and our costs are going down. It’s a two way street. That’s why it’s called reciprocal.”

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CoBank: Exports Key to Ethanol Industry Growth

Cindy Zimmerman

The export market still offers the most promising opportunity to drive U.S. ethanol demand in 2025, according to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange.

“Ethanol used for higher level blends is expected to increase annually in the U.S., but it constitutes only a small portion of overall ethanol demand due to the market’s size,” said Jacqui Fatka, farm supply and biofuels economist with CoBank. “And without significant investments in infrastructure that enable retailers to change pumps or signage, nationwide E15 sales won’t dramatically move the needle in the near-term. Currently, the best opportunity to increase demand in 2025 remains in the export market.”

U.S. ethanol exports hit record high levels in 2024 with 1.91 billion gallons of ethanol exported at value of $7.5 billion but policy uncertainty continues to cloud the market outlook.

Canada has been the top destination for U.S. ethanol in both volume and value for the last four years. While Canada has a national blending mandate of 5% ethanol in gasoline, several provinces require higher rates. Ontario’s mandate will rise to 11% in 2025 as it continues toward its goal of reaching E15 by 2030. But the potential for trade disputes or changes in Canada’s government loom large and could disrupt the flow of U.S. ethanol into Canada.

Read the report.

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Brooke Rollins Confirmed as Agriculture Secretary

Cindy Zimmerman

Brooke Rollins of Texas was confirmed as the 33rd Secretary of Agriculture Thursday by a vote of 72-28.

Rollins served in Trump’s previous administration as acting director of the Domestic Policy Council and oversaw the White House Office of American Innovation. She since co-founded and served as president and chief executive officer of the America First Policy Institute. She has a degree in agricultural development from Texas A&M University and a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says they look forward to working with her on ethanol issues. “Throughout the confirmation process, we were encouraged to hear Secretary Rollins state that renewable fuels like ethanol will be big part of President Trump’s energy dominance strategy and that she will defend and elevate all sources of American-made energy,” said Cooper. “At a time when the farm economy is struggling, we encourage Secretary Rollins to use all of the tools in USDA’s toolbox to open and expand markets for ethanol and its valuable co-products. Indeed, the best way to boost rural America is to boost renewable fuels, and we are confident Secretary Rollins will continue USDA’s legacy of supporting this quintessential American industry.”

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings also offered his congratulations. “We congratulate Brooke Rollins on her confirmation to lead USDA and look forward to working with her on our priority issues, including advancing our USDA RCPP projects aimed at ensuring farmers and biofuel producers get properly rewarded for sustainable farming practices under clean fuel programs and tax incentives such as the 45Z Clean Fuel Production credit. As 45Z guidance is finalized by the Trump Treasury, we will encourage Secretary Rollins to leverage USDA’s guidelines for crops used as biofuel feedstocks to help maximize opportunities for farmers and ethanol producers,” said Jennings. “We will also engage USDA on promoting further biofuel infrastructure funding opportunities for E15 and E85, as well as strengthening existing export and new SAF market opportunities.”

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