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.
Economists are also closely watching how policy decisions in Washington could influence markets moving forward. Analysts say deferred futures for corn, soybeans, and wheat suggest markets are operating near break-even levels, not at prices that would encourage expanded production.
February 02, 2026 12:13 PM
·
Winter Weather And Markets Reshape Agriculture Nationwide This Week
February 02, 2026 12:04 PM
·
Shrinking sheep numbers contrast with gradual goat expansion, signaling tighter lamb supplies but steadier growth potential for meat goats.
February 02, 2026 10:29 AM
·
Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, provides new updates on winter storm impacts and the outlook for rural power reliability.
January 30, 2026 02:59 PM
·
Traders say that shift could eventually prompt the USDA to scale back soybean export projections, noting the outlook differs greatly for other grain commodities.
January 30, 2026 01:13 PM
·
The federal government’s status is far from the only factor moving the markets on Friday. Two critical reports released today on producer inflation and the status of the U.S. cattle herd are also top of mind.
January 30, 2026 12:51 PM
·
Record milk output looks strong today, but shrinking replacement numbers mean future supply adjustments could be faster and more volatile.
January 30, 2026 11:44 AM
·
Often overlooked, cotton wholesalers act as stabilizers during market stress, translating fragmented retail demand into workable production programs for mills and manufacturers.
January 30, 2026 08:00 AM
·
Eliza Petry joins the RFD News team with a strong connection to agriculture and a commitment to covering the people and issues that matter most to rural America.
January 29, 2026 01:31 PM
·
