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After riding high in August, U.S. ethanol exports took a dive in September, sliding 21% to a seven-month low of 148.4 million gallons (mg), according to the latest Trade Monitor from the Renewable Fuels Association.

Canada remained the top destination, importing 65.6 mg (-12%) and accounting for 63% of all denatured fuel ethanol sales. Exports to the European Union declined 25% to 35.5 mg, almost entirely routed through the Netherlands and still the primary destination for undenatured fuel ethanol. Other major markets softened as well: Colombia was down 38% to 8.7 mg and India declined 39% to 8.3 mg. In contrast, Peru advanced 60% to 6.0 mg, and Nigeria re-entered the market with 5.8 mg after a three-month absence. Jamaica (3.9 mg), Brazil (2.6 mg), the United Kingdom (2.5 mg—a 33-month low), and Mexico (2.5 mg—a 25-month low) rounded out the top ten markets. Market absences were notable: the Philippines, after averaging 9.8 mg/month through the first eight months of 2025, recorded no shipments, while South Korea imported just 1.7 mg after averaging 8.3 mg/month over the same period. Year-to-date, U.S. ethanol exports reached 1.56 billion gallons, running 13% ahead of last year’s pace.

U.S. exports of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) were also lower in September, declining 9% to 1.06 million metric tons (mt), even as several major buyers expanded purchases. Mexico, the leading market, reduced imports by 15% to a seven-month low of 176,408 mt. Meanwhile, South Korea edged up 2% to 147,771 mt; Vietnam climbed 10% to a two-year high of 132,939 mt; Indonesia surged 49% to a 17-month high of 104,906 mt; Turkey rose 49% to a 10-month high of 93,678 mt; and New Zealand increased 10% to a record 76,845 mt. The European Union also expanded imports 54% to 61,416 mt, bolstered by record-high shipments to Portugal. Year-to-date DDGS exports totaled 8.70 million mt, trailing last year by 3%.

The U.S. Census Bureau has not announced a revised release date for October trade data, which had been scheduled for publication last week prior to the government shutdown. RFA will continue to monitor developments and notify stakeholders when the trade series returns to its normal release schedule.

RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper at USTR hearing

RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper said a thorough investigation into China’s prejudicial trade actions with American agriculture is “justified and necessary” and that the ethanol industry has been substantially impacted as a result. Prior to the agreement, China was the top export market for U.S. dried distillers grains and one of the largest export markets for U.S. ethanol.

“China’s failure to fully implement the Phase One Agreement has resulted in lost market opportunities and significant financial losses for U.S. ethanol producers and the farmers who supply grain to our member companies,” said Cooper in his testimony.

“China reneged on its commitment to meaningfully increase purchases of ethanol and distillers grains in 2020 and 2021 and entirely failed to address the structural barriers that hindered our industry’s long-term access to the market,” Cooper said. “Instead, China erected new barriers that were even more punitive to U.S. ethanol and distillers grains, completely shutting American-made ethanol out of the market over the past four years.”

Cooper is confident the Section 301 investigation will provide indisputable evidence that China’s unfair policies have severely injured U.S. ethanol producers and farmers. “Thus, we support USTR and the Trump Administration taking action to ensure U.S. producers are protected against the deleterious effects of China’s failed trade policies.”
Read Cooper’s testimony here.