Article and data courtesy of Renewable Fuels Association
According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending September 15, ethanol production contracted 5.7% to a 19-week low of 980,000 b/d, equivalent to 41.16 million gallons daily. Yet, output was 8.8% more than the same week last year and 4.0% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate declined 1.7% to 1.009 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.47 billion gallons (bg).
Ethanol stocks rose 2.4% to 21.7 million barrels. Stocks were 3.6% less than the same week last year but 0.6% above the five-year average. Inventories built across all regions except the Midwest (PADD 2)—thinning to a 50-week low—and West Coast (PADD 5).
The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, increased 1.2% to 8.41 million b/d (128.93 bg annualized). Demand was 1.1% more than a year ago but 4.6% below the five-year average.
Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol slipped 0.9% to a 10-week low of 891,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.66 bg annualized. Yet, net inputs were 1.4% more than the same week last year and consistent with the five-year average.
Ethanol exports were estimated at 109,000 b/d (4.6 million gallons/day), a 60.3% increase from the prior week and the largest volume since July. Imports of ethanol totaling 20,000 b/d arrived into the East Coast, marking the second time this month that imports were reported.
