Ethanol Output Ticks Higher As Stocks Ease Slightly

Slightly higher output amid softer gasoline pull points to steady corn grind — watch regional stocks and export pace for basis clues.

breaking down ethanol 1280.jpg

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — Ethanol production edged up to a five-week high as harvest advances. EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association show output at 1.07 million barrels per day (b/d) — about 45.11 million gallons/day — up 0.3 percent week over week, 3.1 percentcent above last year, and 4.2 percent over the three-year average. The four-week average eased 0.5 percent to 1.04 million b/d, an annualized pace of 16.00 billion gallons.

Inventories slipped 0.4 percent to 22.6 million barrels, yet remained 1.6 percent above a year ago and 4.1 percent over the three-year average. Stocks declined everywhere except the East Coast (PADD 1) and Rocky Mountains (PADD 4). Gasoline supplied — a demand proxy — fell 5.2 percent to 8.46 million barrels per day (b/d) (a 19-week low, ~129.97 bg annualized), 1.9 percent under last year and 3.3% below the three-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol rose 2.6 percent to 915,000 barrels per day (b/d) (~14.07 bg annualized), 0.3 percent above last year and 0.4 percent over the three-year average. Exports eased 21.7 percent to an estimated 108,000 b/d (~4.5 million gal/day). EIA has shown no imports for over a year.

Farm-Level Takeaway: Slightly higher output amid softer gasoline pull points to steady corn grind — watch regional stocks and export pace for basis clues.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Expert
Related Stories
As the government shutdown pushes the farm economy closer to the brink, Sens. Grassley and Ernst of Iowa are raising their voices for agriculture.
Considering raising your own replacements instead of buying bred heifers? Three key factors to consider before investing capital.
Jed Bower, the incoming president of the National Corn Growers Association, joined us for his sector’s perspective on the ongoing government shutdown.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week said an announcement would be made on Tuesday. However, that self-imposed deadline has now passed.
Plan for a cooler global trade market in 2026 with tighter margins on exports, potential rate shifts, and premiums for reliable deliveries into Asian and African growth markets.
George Baird, with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA), joins us with updates on how this year’s rice harvest is shaping up.
Expect firm demand for dependable HRS and SW, steady movement in HRW, more sorting on SRW, and selective bids on durum until full milling results are released.
Market analyst Kevin Huddleston said news of trade deals could rebound cotton prices in late fall, and producers need to be ready to strike deals.

Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Stagger buys and diversifies fertilizer sources — watch CBAM, India’s tenders, and Brazil’s import pace to time urea, phosphate, and potash purchases.
Tight cattle supplies keep prices high for ranchers, but policy shifts, export barriers, and packer losses signal a volatile road ahead for the beef supply chain.
Distillers dried grains (DDG) values follow corn and soybean meal trends, with ethanol grind and feed demand shaping costs into early 2026.
Pork producers should prioritize health and productivity gains, hedge feed and hogs selectively, and watch Brazil’s export pace and China’s sow policy for price signals.
For tight margins, contract grazing leverages existing acres into new income streams and spreads risk. Here are some tips for row crop farmers looking to diversify.
Global nitrogen and phosphate prices remain high despite improved supply fundamentals, with limited Chinese exports and stronger fall applications tightening availability.