U.S. Ethanol Exports Set New Record in 2024

Ethanol exports set a new record in 2024.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, applauded the release of data today showing that U.S. exports of ethanol set a new record in 2024. In total, the U.S. exported 1.9 billion gallons of ethanol worth $4.3 billion in 2024, exceeding the previous record for volume set in 2018, and the previous record for value set in 2023. 

“The numbers don’t lie. The world is looking to the U.S. to meet its fuel needs and American producers are delivering in a way that supports economic growth abroad and at home in rural communities across the country,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “As the new Administration puts its new trade priorities into action, we look forward to working with President Trump and his team to ensure that we build on this momentum in a way that continues to grow the American farm economy through sales of American ethanol abroad.” 

Some highlights from the data include the following: 

  • Compared to 2023, total ethanol export volume increased by 36% from 1.4 billion gallons to 1.9 billion gallons in 2024.  
  • Compared to 2023, total ethanol export value increased by 13% from $3.813 billion (the previous record) to $4.311 billion in 2024. 
  • The U.S. ethanol industry had a $3.966 billion trade surplus in 2024. 
  • Canada remained our strongest export market for American ethanol by far, representing 35% of all U.S. global sales.  
  • Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, India, Colombia, Mexico, and other top markets all had record export years as well, meaning more American ethanol was sold into those countries in 2024 than ever before. 
  • The increase in exports to Colombia was driven in-part by the country returning to an E10 (10% ethanol) blending requirement. In March 2021, Colombia decreased its blending requirement from E10 to E4 (4% ethanol), and the level fluctuated over the following three years, before settling on E10 in February 2024. Unfortunately, Colombia continues to impose a countervailing duty on its imports of U.S. ethanol—without that trade barrier, it’s very likely the final export numbers to Colombia would’ve been even higher. 
  • Despite 2024’s strong export performance, the industry’s figures could be even higher were it not for still-outstanding global trade impediments that restrict opportunities in places like Brazil, China, and other countries around the world. Growth Energy will continue to work with the new administration to remove these barriers and help continue to drive the farm economy.  

The export numbers can be found here. For more data on the American ethanol industry, click here.