U.S. ethanol exports highest in five years

During a year of record U.S. ethanol production, exports of the biofuel totaled 1.05 billion gallons, second only to the record 1.19 billion gallons shipped to foreign buyers in 2011, said the Renewable Fuels Association. “Our industry produced 15.2 billion gallons of ethanol last year, and while we continue to meet our domestic needs, ethanol exports are essential for future growth,” said RFA chief executive Bob Dinneen.

Brazil, also a major ethanol producer, was the top market for U.S. ethanol, at 267 million gallons – double its 2015 total – followed by Canada, 259.3 million gallons, and China, 179.1 million gallons. The three countries accounted for 68 percent of shipments, which were worth $2.02 billion overall.

“Exports to South America and East Asia boomed in 2016, growing 118 percent and 69 percent, respectively, over 2015 levels,” said an RFA summary of ethanol trade. Exports to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and the European Union slumped. U.S. ethanol imports totaled 34 million gallons in 2016, the lowest annual total in six years.

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