Last week, domestic ethanol demand was 14.3 BGY, down 1.3% compared to a week ago. The EIA-reported gas demand was down 1.3% from last week, at 136.8 BGY. The 4-week average ethanol and gas demand are 14.3 BGY and 136.5 BGY (-1.6% YoY).
Ethanol production was 17.0 BGY last week, down 0.2% versus the week before, and 7.8% more than the 4-week average in 2019. Midwest production was down 0.8% (-2.6 MG) versus a week ago, and average production in the other regions was up 14.0% (+2.1 MG). Ethanol production capacity utilization of plants online this week was 93.9% overall, 95.1% in the Midwest, and 75.9% on average, elsewhere, excluding 1,236 MGY of capacity shutdown at 24 ethanol plants for other than maintenance. On an installed capacity basis, utilization was 87.9% overall, 92.6% in the Midwest and 45.1% in the other regions.
Exports were an estimated 42.9 MG last week based on 190 MG forecast for August. The EIA reported no ethanol imports last week.
Overall inventory was up 5.3 MG last week. EIA-counted stocks decreased 7.2 MG, and regional changes were: East (+14 MG), Gulf (+6 MG) and West (-2 MG) Coasts and the Midwest (-25 MG). In-transit inventory levels increased 12.5 MG.
Based on the total inventory of 1,350 MG on Aug 28th and the 4-week avg. domestic demand, there were 34.4 days of supply, up 0.2 days from a week ago. Including the 4-week avg. of net exports, the days of supply were 29.7 days, up 0.2 days from a week ago.