This report courtesy of the Renewable Fuels Association
According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending May 12, ethanol production expanded 2.3% to a four-week high of 987,000 b/d, equivalent to 41.45 million gallons daily. The volume produced was 0.4% less than the same week last year yet 3.1% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate slipped 0.9% to 974,000 b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 14.93 billion gallons (bg) and a 16-week low.
Ethanol stocks declined 0.4% to 23.2 million barrels, which is the leanest weekly inventory since the end of Nov. 2022. Stocks were 2.5% less than a year ago but 3.2% above the five-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the Gulf Coast (PADD 3).
The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, slid 4.2% to 8.91 million b/d (136.56 bg annualized). Demand was 1.3% less than a year ago but 0.9% above the five-year average.
Conversely, refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol rose 1.3% to 909,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.93 bg annualized. Net inputs were 0.2% less than the same week last year but 3.1% above the five-year average.
There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the 23rd consecutive week. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of March 2023.)