US ethanol exports jump, biodiesel plummets

n Washington, US exports of biodiesel in November reached an all-time low of 2,902 tons. Year-to-date exports were 252,553 tons, down significantly from the same period during the previous year at 695,313 tons.

While biodiesel lags, ethanol exports perk up

The U.S. exported 38.9 million gallons of nonbeverage ethanol in November, up 11% from the previous month and the third-best month in 2010, according to Geoff Cooper, vice president for research and analysis of the Renewable Fuels Association. Ethanol shipments from January through November reached 324.9 million gallons, almost three times the 2009 total. Meanwhile, exports of distillers grains in November reached 717,143 tons, down 7% from the previous month.

Corn yields down

In Washington, the USDA’s crop report is showing slightly lower yields plus slightly higher acreage in the 2010 corn crop—still the 4th highest yields and 3rd largest crop in history. It forecast demand for ethanol production at 4.9 million bushels, enough to produce 13.5 billion gallons. The Renewable Fuels Association sees this estimate in line with theirs and doesn’t expect the figure to go higher considering the E10 blend wall and slow rollout of E15.

source: biofuelsdigest