WASHINGTON, D.C. (NAFB) – Data from the Department of Agriculture shows U.S. ethanol exports for 2020 totaled 1.3 billion gallons, down 9.8 percent from 2019 and hovering around 2017 levels.

However, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says, “we’re optimistic to see worldwide ethanol demand continue to provide U.S. producers with market opportunities.”

Canada took over as the top export market for U.S. ethanol, with 326.4 million gallons for the year. Growth Energy says Canada continues to be a global leader in the use of biofuels, which is expected to grow with their Clean Fuel Standard as well as provincial moves to higher biofuel blends.

Brazil dropped to the second U.S. export market, at 188.8 million gallons, a 40 percent difference from 2019, due to tariff issues between the U.S. and Brazilian governments.

In India, the U.S. saw a 9.1 percent increase at 189.6 million gallons.

The fourth-largest export market in 2020 was South Korea, followed by the Netherlands.