U.S. ethanol exports hit new heights

Jun 04, 2024

Strong demand drives record levels

By Farms.com

The U.S. ethanol industry is celebrating a significant milestone with record-breaking exports and domestic consumption.

This success coincides with the first anniversary of the Energy Information Administration (EIA) incorporating ethanol export data into its Weekly Petroleum Status Report.

The inclusion of this data, championed by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), provides valuable real-time insights previously unavailable through monthly reports. Last week alone, U.S. ethanol exports reached a staggering 62.3 million gallons, surpassing not only past EIA estimates but also historical highs based on monthly data.

Domestically, the picture is equally positive. U.S. refiner and blender net inputs of ethanol, a measure of domestic consumption, climbed to a two-year high of 275.5 million gallons.

Combined, these figures translate to an annualized pace of 17.7 billion gallons for both exports and domestic use, dwarfing the previous record of 16.8 billion gallons set in December 2023.

This surge in demand for ethanol, a corn-based biofuel, signifies a robust market for the product. Improved data transparency through the EIA's weekly reports empowers industry players to make informed decisions based on current market conditions.

This enhanced data accessibility is likely to play a crucial role in the continued growth and stability of the U.S. ethanol sector.

Video: Alberta Honey: A Day at Molenkamp Honey Farms

When was the last time you read the label on your honey?

We spent a day at Molenkamp Honey Farms with Michael Molenkamp, who has been keeping bees for 17 seasons and runs three to four thousand hives. In mid-September, he was finishing treatments and getting his bees ready for winter, and he walked us through how Alberta honey gets made.

Alberta has just 150 commercial beekeepers running 300,000 colonies, and together they produce 40% of Canada’s honey. Long summer days and golden canola fields give Alberta honey a light flavour that’s hard to match anywhere else.

Molenkamp calls Alberta beekeepers some of the most resilient farmers he knows. There’s plenty of Alberta honey to go around, but a lot on our shelves isn’t from here, so his ask is simple. Give the label a second look and choose honey made by Alberta beekeepers, or buy straight from a beekeeper near you.