US exported 836 million gallons of ethanol in 2014

US ethanol exports reached near-record levels in 2014, sending 836 million gallons of ethanol worth $2.1 billion (€1.8 billion) to international markets. This is according to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and its new publication '2014 US Ethanol Exports and Imports: Statistical Summary'.

The publication offers an overview of the US ethanol export and import markets in 2014, showing the upward trend in exports and the downward trend in imports – reaching the second-lowest levels – since 2005.

The report found that US ethanol has made its way to all inhabited continents of the world, reaching more than 50 countries. The top five countries importing US ethanol last year included Canada, Brazil, the UAE, the Philippines, and India. Meanwhile, exports to the European Union remain down due to a punitive trade tariff it chooses to impose on US produced ethanol.

Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the RFA, notes: 'Last year, US ethanol producers produced a whopping 14.3 billion gallons of ethanol and nearly 6% was exported globally. We are working diligently to increase demand for this product abroad. It has been rewarding to see countries all over the world embrace the US produced, high-octane fuel, which has also been the lowest-cost liquid transportation fuel found anywhere in the world.'

He continues: 'US ethanol is now exported to 51 countries across the globe, including regions that once seemed far-fetched as renewable fuel destinations such as the Middle East and North Africa. We will keep working with others in the industry and the US government to keep exploring new regions that would benefit from US ethanol. Last year, we participated in trade missions to Panama, China, Peru, Japan, and South Korea.'