Ethanol Exports Climb 36% From Last Year
Ethanol and distillers grains exporters should weigh the strong pace when planning production and logistics.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Economic Indicators
U.S. ethanol exports reached 208.99 million gallons in September 2026, according to USDA data released November 4, with distillers grains exports at 1.09 million metric tons. Exporters of ethanol and distillers grains saw strong year-over-year volume growth in the period.
Why it matters
Ethanol and distillers grains are co-products of the same production chain, so export volumes shape feedstock demand, plant utilization and margins for producers and the grain-handling businesses that supply them. The September figures reflect a sustained export pull after a 36% year-over-year gain, which matters for operators deciding how much export exposure to plan for.
September ethanol exports were 208.99 million gallons, valued at $491.22 million, and up 36% from September 2025. Year-to-date ethanol exports through September reached 1.83 billion gallons, worth $4.2 billion.
The players
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
The U.S. Department of Agriculture agency that tracks and publishes monthly agricultural trade data, including ethanol and distillers grains exports.
The details
Canada was the largest destination for U.S. ethanol in September at 93.52 million gallons, followed by the Netherlands at 19.38 million gallons and Vietnam at 17.21 million gallons. On the distillers grains side, Mexico led destinations, with Indonesia and South Korea next in order. Distillers grains are the protein-rich residue left after ethanol production, so their export pattern tracks ethanol output and feed demand abroad.
Timeline
September 2025: baseline month for the year-over-year ethanol comparison.
January through September 2026: period covered by cumulative export totals.
November 4, 2026: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service released the September data.
Market Landscape
The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service series shows ethanol export volumes running well above the prior year in September. The growth sits alongside a roughly 1% month-over-month dip, indicating a strong but uneven export pace.
Producers and grain handlers should factor the strong export pace into near-term feedstock and logistics planning. Operators with export-linked contracts should review pricing exposure with their accountants or qualified advisors.
The takeaway
Export volumes running well above last year suggest demand for both ethanol and distillers grains remains firm into late 2026. Operators should watch the next USDA monthly release to see whether the year-over-year gain persists.
Further reading
Track more monthly readings in our Economic Indicators coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ethanol Producer Magazine.
