Ethanol Production Rises as Stocks Drop Sharply Nationwide

Ethanol production climbed to a four-week high while inventories fell to their lowest level since early October, according to energy data analyzed by the RFA.

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

LUBBOCK, TEXAS (RFD NEWS) — Ethanol production climbed to a four-week high while inventories fell to their lowest level since early October. Renewable Fuels Association analysis of EIA data shows production rose 6.4 percent for the week ending May 8 to 1.08 million barrels per day.

That equals 45.44 million gallons per day. Output was 9 percent higher than the same week last year and 8.1 percent above the five-year average. The four-week average slipped to 1.04 million barrels per day, equal to an annualized 15.94 billion gallons.

Ethanol stocks dropped 4.4 percent to 24.9 million barrels. Inventories were below last year but still above the five-year average, with declines reported across all regions and a 41-week low on the West Coast.

Gasoline supplied, a demand indicator, fell to a five-week low of 8.75 million barrels per day. Refiner and blender ethanol inputs rose slightly to 908,000 barrels per day.

Exports increased 16.5 percent to an estimated 162,000 barrels per day.

Farm-Level Takeaway: Strong ethanol production supports corn demand, but weaker gasoline demand and lower blender inputs remain to be watched.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
Related Stories
Frontier Futures broker Adam Knosalla says USDA’s higher corn estimates reflected more harvest information replacing earlier trend-based assumptions.
Global food insecurity is projected to decline over the next decade as incomes rise and food price inflation eases, though regional challenges will persist.
Syngenta herbicide expert Jeremy Sharp urges farmers to weigh weed control and yield potential before choosing lower-cost products.

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:

Stronger demand for french fries and chips helped absorb more of the 2025 potato crop.
AI-related goods drove nearly half of global merchandise trade growth in the first half of 2026.
Rising imports are putting new focus on how domestic and foreign suppliers can grow U.S. lamb demand.
China is using more wheat for livestock feed, putting it in greater competition with corn.
USDA and the FTC are asking producers to share firsthand experiences with equipment sales and repair restrictions.
Higher corn and soybean prices helped improve farm loan repayment conditions during the third quarter.
NRCS is easing participation requirements and shifting more conservation decisions to the state level.
Lower-cost grains are replacing corn in livestock feed as China’s hog sector weakens.
Below-normal inventories are expected to keep pressure on diesel prices through the winter.
Willingness to pay for beef climbed in September despite continued pressure on household budgets.
USDA says the $13.8 billion total is before payment-limit reductions and a required 5.7% sequestration cut.
Federal officials are examining claims of barriers to new competitors in fertilizer markets.