Strong Supply Fundamentals Push US Ethanol Prices Downward in August 2023

After remaining dormant throughout the third week, a slight drop in U.S. Ethanol prices in the week ending August 25 was observed. The Ethanol prices have been closed at USD 750 per metric tonne, on a FOB basis, with a downward change of 1.3 percent. This slight change in prices has been due to ample domestic inventory levels as well as higher production volume coupled with a high export scenario. According to data provided by EIA, averaged Ethanol exports in the U.S. have stood at 94,000 barrels per day the week ending August 18, up 19% when compared to 79000 barrels per day the previous week. No imports have been reported for the week ending August 18.

According to a report released by USDA Foreign Agricultural Service's Global Agricultural Information Network, imports of Canadian Ethanol produced in the U.S. have surged by an estimated 40 percent, while Ethanol consumption was up approximately 20 percent last year. As per the report, the consumption of Ethanol in Canada have reached 3.4 billion litres in 2022, a 20 percent up compared to the previous year. Moreover, it has also been estimated that due to consistent imports from the U.S. and continued post-pandemic recovery, consumption of Ethanol is expected to grow to 3.88 billion liters by this year. Moreover, Canada's CFR (Clean Fuel Regulations) to reduce the Carbon Intensity (CI) is expected to boost the consumption of Ethanol and other renewable fuels. The Ethanol blending rate is expected to reach 8.3 percent this year, up 7.6 percent compared to last year.

In ACE (American Coalition for Ethanol) 's 36th Annual Conference, which occurred last week in Minneapolis, ACE CEO Brian Jennings stated that their long-term focus is to become low-carbon producers, and their supply chain will not be restricted within America but will serve the whole world. In that interview, Jennings addressed some opportunities as well as current industry issues. Some of the opening remarks are how Ethanol can play a big role in reducing the carbon fleet, Renewable fuel standards, and year-round E15. The conference has been wrapped up with an outlook on U.S. Ethanol exports on Friday, Aug.15.

ACE Ethanol has achieved a Record of Distillers Corn oil yields with Fluid Quip DCO technology in Stanley, Wisconsin, with a 20 percent above historical rates. The highly productive plant in Stanley with a cellulosic Ethanol system has been aiming to be the industry's highest distillers corn oil producer. With this technology, they have stepped up the game in achieving that goal, as stated by Michael Franko, vice president of Fluid Quip Technologies.