Last week, domestic ethanol demand was 13.5 BGY, down 4.1% compared to a week ago. The EIA-reported gas demand was down 4.1% from last week, at 128.9 BGY. The 4-week average ethanol and gas demand are 13.9 BGY and 133.0 BGY (-0.4% YoY).
Ethanol production was 16.3 BGY last week, up 1.1% versus the week before, and 11.1% more than the 4-week average, YoY. Midwest production was unchanged versus a week ago, and average production in the other regions was up 27.9% (+3.5 MG) mainly on the East Coast. Ethanol production capacity utilization of plants online this week was 89.8% overall, 91.0% in the Midwest, and 72.9% 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 84.1% overall, 88.6% in the Midwest and 43.4% in the other regions.
Exports were an estimated 47.4 MG last week based on 210 MG forecast for October. The EIA reported no ethanol imports last week.
Overall inventory was up 3.4 MG last week. EIA-counted stocks increased 8.4 MG, and regional changes were: East ( +14 MG), Gulf (+4 MG) and West (-4 MG) Coasts and the Midwest (-5 MG). In-transit inventory levels decreased 5.0 MG.
Based on the total inventory of 1,291 MG on October 9th and the 4-week avg. domestic demand, there were 34.1 days of supply, up 0.1 days from a week ago. Including the 4-week avg. of net exports, the days of supply were 29.1 days, unchanged from a week ago.