Brazil, the second-largest ethanol exporter, has seen its exports decline due to rising domestic demand. Retail sales of hydrous E100 ethanol in Brazil jumped 44% in 2024, fueled by competitive pricing against gasoline.
According to an industry expert, “With domestic demand booming as much as it is, exporting ethanol has not been a priority for a while.”
Canada remains the top importer, with 35.39% of U.S. ethanol exports in 2024. The UK, India, and Colombia have also increased their purchases.
Colombia’s ethanol imports rose to 7% of U.S. export volumes in 2024, compared to just 1% in 2022, driven by the restoration of its E10 mandate.
Strong international demand has bolstered U.S. production, which averaged 1.046 million barrels per day by November. This surge has supported positive margins throughout 2024 and helped balance the supply-demand equation.