U.S. ethanol exports in marketing year (MY) 2025/2026 now total more than one billion gallons, up 13% year over year, and on pace to surpass last year’s record of 2.1 billion gallons, according to a recent data release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“The record-setting pace of U.S. ethanol exports demonstrates the value of ethanol in the global energy economy and confirms growth is still extremely strong in the industry, with U.S. ethanol leading the way in quality and availability,” said Alicia Koch, U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) director of global ethanol export development.
“Policy changes and removals of trade barriers have improved U.S. ethanol’s market competitiveness in several countries in the last year and continued advancements in other applications like marine fuel and sustainable aviation fuel will keep demand high into the future.”
Canada continues to be a leading partner for the U.S. ethanol industry, importing 432 million gallons so far this MY, up nearly 17 percent from last year. Higher blends of ethanol – up to 15 percent in some provinces – are fortifying expanded demand well ahead of mandated timelines.
The European Union is seeing a significant jump in its purchases of U.S. ethanol in MY 2025/2026 as well, almost doubling its imports to 252 million gallons as member states attempt to meet the obligation of 14% renewable share in transport by 2030.
Japan is a mature, consistent market for the U.S. agricultural sector and ethanol is increasingly part of that relationship. Japan has imported 88 million gallons of U.S. ethanol already in MY 2025/2026, a rise of nearly 14 percent.
Other notable changes from the recent data report include Brazil’s return as one of U.S. ethanol’s largest customers, up 350 percent to 78 million gallons imported. Nigeria also saw steady growth, at 16 percent and totaling 20 million gallons, emphasizing its role as a front-runner for ethanol adoption in the region.
“Expanding ethanol exports through new markets, higher blends in existing markets and emerging applications is critical for the continued growth in volumes around the world, and the success of America’s rural economies,” Koch said.
“Our farmers are producing higher yields each year and need markets that can absorb that additional supply. American ethanol’s quality and reliability provide the assurance needed for countries to invest in the policy changes, infrastructure and technologies to support ethanol economies, knowing the U.S. is willing and able to support these ambitions.”
Learn more about the Council’s work on ethanol here.