WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. ethanol exports are growing faster than domestic consumption in 2026, helping support higher ethanol production and additional corn use during the first half of the year.
USDA’s Economic Research Service reports 1.21 billion gallons of ethanol exports from January through June, up about 12% from the same period in 2025. Ethanol production reached 8.31 billion gallons, an increase of roughly 3%.
U.S. corn used for fuel alcohol totaled 2.74 billion bushels during the six-month period, up about 3% from a year earlier. Domestic ethanol consumption increased less than 1% to about 7.07 billion gallons.
The faster export growth means foreign buyers are absorbing a larger share of incremental ethanol output while domestic fuel demand changes more slowly. That provides another demand outlet for corn beyond livestock feed and traditional grain exports.
USDA did not update its table showing corn’s total supply, disappearance and percentage used for fuel alcohol in the October release. Additional updates will determine whether the stronger first-half pace continues through the remainder of 2026.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Faster ethanol export growth is supporting additional corn demand even as domestic ethanol consumption changes more slowly.