U.S. Ethanol Industry Struggling Amid Massive Export Decline

(WASHINGTON, DC) For the first time since last September, domestic ethanol exports fell to 99.6 million gallons in May, according to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). This represents a 34 percent decrease from April. Despite a 26 percent decline in imports, Canada was the top destination for the first time this year, buying just under one-quarter of all U.S. shipments in May. India was the second-largest destination even with a 58 percent drop from the previous month. For seven consecutive months, Brazil was the largest customer of U.S. ethanol but fell to third amid a 74 percent decline in demand. The Philippines increased its imports by 20 percent, South Korea inched seven percent higher, and Colombia imported 69 percent more in May than in April. For this calendar year, U.S. ethanol exports are 19 percent lower than the first five months of 2018.