Ethanol Production Declines Slightly While Weekly Stocks Increase

Stable blending demand continues to underpin corn use despite export volatility.

Farmland producing ethanol for the oil and gas industry. Railroad tankers cars lined up near a ethanol plant at sunset_Photo by photogrfx via AdobeStock_496174713.png

Photo by photogrfx via Adobe Stock

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD NEWS)Ethanol production eased modestly last week, but output remains stronger than year-ago levels, continuing to support corn demand despite softer export movement.

Energy Information Administration data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association show that production for the week ending February 20 declined 0.4 percent to 1.11 million barrels per day, equal to 46.75 million gallons per day. Output was 3.0 percent above the same week last year and 5.6 percent above the three-year average. The four-week average held at 1.07 million barrels per day, or 16.51 billion gallons annualized.

Refiner and blender net inputs were unchanged at 866,000 barrels per day, running 2.4 percent ahead of last year. Gasoline supplied dipped 0.2 percent but remained 3.3 percent above year-ago levels.

Ethanol stocks rose 0.2 percent to 25.6 million barrels, though inventories remain 7.0 percent below last year and 1.8 percent under the three-year average. Exports fell 20.3 percent to 141,000 barrels per day.

Looking ahead, steady domestic blending may offset export weakness if seasonal fuel demand improves.

Related Stories
The Cotton-4 are pushing hard for new value chain investments. Still, many U.S. cotton producers face unsustainable losses, and weakened regional textile capacity threatens the survival of the Carolina “dirt-to-shirt” supply chain.
Late harvest and tight supplies shape crop progress and agribusiness this week. Here is a regional snapshot of harvest pace, crop conditions, logistics, and livestock economics across U.S. agriculture for the week of Dec. 1, 2025.
Tryston Beyrer, Crop Nutrition Lead at The Mosaic Company, examines planning trends as producers weigh corn and soybean plantings for 2026.
Brooks York with AgriSompo joins us to offer an update on what agents are prioritizing as the calendar year winds down.
The newly elected Executive Vice President of the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association (TCA), Dale Parker, joins us on-set to share his vision for his state’s cattle industry.
SDRP Stage 2 now helps producers recover shallow, uninsured losses from major 2023–2024 disasters, with streamlined sign-ups open through April 30.

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:

A regional snapshot of harvest pace, crop conditions, logistics, and livestock economics across U.S. agriculture, prepared by RFD-TV Markets Specialist Tony St. James, for the week of Monday, November 24, 2025.
Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller warns horse owners after EHV-1 cases linked to the Waco WPRA Finals. Horses linked to recent Waco events should be isolated and closely monitored, as early action is critical to stopping the spread of EHV-1.
Farmers with unpaid Hansen-Mueller grain should verify delivery records immediately and file indemnity claims quickly, as coverage rules differ sharply by state.
According to November’s Cattle on Feed Report, Nebraska now leads the nation in cattle feeding as tighter supplies continue to reshape regional market power and long-term price dynamics.
Higher rail tariffs and tighter Canadian supplies will keep oat transportation costs firm into 2026.
Industry support ensures continued funding for mango marketing and research, helping sustain long-term demand growth.