U.S. ethanol and DDGS exports surge in August

The U.S. ethanol industry saw a significant boost in August, with exports reaching a five-month high. The Renewable Fuels Association reported that 211.8 million gallons of ethanol were shipped abroad, a 6% increase from July. This surge was driven by global demand for low-carbon fuels, which also supported domestic corn usage.

Canada remained the top destination for U.S. ethanol, followed by the European Union and the United Kingdom. The strong export performance helped push 2026 ethanol exports to 1.62 billion gallons, 12% ahead of the record pace set in 2025.

Meanwhile, exports of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a livestock feed, hit their highest monthly level in 11 years. August saw 1.3 million tons of DDGS exported, an 18% increase from the previous month. The primary buyers were Mexico, Indonesia, and South Korea.

For the year to date, DDGS exports have risen 13% compared to 2025, totaling 8.57 million tons. The strong performance in both ethanol and DDGS exports underscores the growing global demand for U.S. biofuels and agricultural byproducts.