USDA released the September Grain Crushings report today; total corn use for fuel alcohol was down 2 percent from August, but up 1 percent from September 2020, starting the marketing year off in the right direction. Moreover, ethanol production for the week ending 22 October hit 1.106 million barrels per day, its highest level since the record weekly output of the last week in November 2017. That follows a strong two prior two weeks of production over 1 million barrels per day, the first sustained 1 million barrels per day production level since the last week of July.
Ethanol production in October, based on data from the first three weeks, could be an estimated 15 percent higher month over month.
If normal patterns of monthly p...
Macro: Trade Flows Set the Tone Persian Gulf crude flows appear to be improving, with anecdotal estimates suggesting as much as 7–8 million barrels per day may now be leaving the region — nearly double the mid-July pace. That helps explain why crude has not maintained the full geopo...
Key Takeaways: The Panama Canal traded at a record $5.3 million for a transit slot this week as line-up times extend to 17 days. The difficulties transiting the Canal are supporting the PNW/Gulf spread. Tanker freight markets remain elevated as the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz continues. I...
Key Takeaways: Ethanol margins continue to retreat from recent highs as rising costs – particularly corn and natural gas – offset gains in ethanol and DDGS values. WPI’s models expect ethanol margins to broadly follow their seasonal pattern, declining into the new year,...
