NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD NEWS) — U.S. ethanol production eased slightly late last week, but demand indicators strengthened, offering support for corn-based biofuels as winter fuel consumption rebounded. New EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association show ethanol markets entering late January with mixed supply signals but improving usage.
Ethanol production for the week ending January 23 declined 0.4 percent to 1.11 million barrels per day, or roughly 46.8 million gallons per day. Despite the weekly dip, output remained nearly 10 percent higher than the same week last year and more than 10 percent above the three-year average. The four-week average production rate edged marginally lower to an annualized pace of 17.40 billion gallons, signaling plants continue to run well above historical norms.
Ethanol inventories tightened modestly. Stocks fell 1.3 percent to 25.4 million barrels, slightly below year-ago levels but still above the three-year average. Inventory builds in the Midwest were offset by draws in other regions.
Demand showed notable improvement. Gasoline supplied rebounded nearly 12 percent ahead of a winter storm, while ethanol blending increased more than 3 percent. Exports declined sharply week to week but remain historically strong.
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