USDA: Corn use for fuel ethanol production expands to 472 million bushels in May
U.S. fuel ethanol producers consumed 472 million bushels of corn in May 2026, up 10% from April and 6% year-on-year. Higher ethanol production also boosted output of corn oil, DDGS and other co-products, reflecting stronger demand across the ethanol sector.
U.S. fuel ethanol producers consumed 472 million bushels of corn in May 2026, up significantly when compared to both the previous month and May 2025, according to the USDA’s latest Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production report.
Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 524 million bushels in May, up 9% from April and up 5% when compared to May of last year. Usage included 92% for alcohol and 8% for other purposes.
Corn use for fuel alcohol production, at 472 million bushels, was up 10% when compared to the previous month and up 6% when compared to May 2025. Corn use for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 92% and 8%, respectively.
At dry mills, condensed distillers solubles production reached 125,806 tons in May, up 6% when compared to April and up 2% when compared to May 2025. Corn oil production reached 206,343 tons, up 9% when compared to the previous month and up 6% when compared to May of the previous year. Distillers dried grains with solubles production was at 1.77 million metric tons, up 11% when compared to April, but down slightly when compared to May 2025. Distillers wet grains production reached 1.37 million tons, up nearly 6% when compared to the previous month and up 12% when compared to May of last year. Modified distillers grains production reached 443,978 tons, down 6% when compared to April, but up slightly from May 2025.
At wet mills, corn germ meal production fell to 53,118 tons in May, down 3% when compared to the previous month and down 2% when compared to May of last year. Corn gluten feed production reached 292,461 tons, up 20% when compared to April and up 10% when compared to May 2025. Corn gluten meal production was at 106,960 tons, up 10% when compared to the previous month, but down 3% when compared to May of the previous year. Wet corn gluten feed production was at 190,178 tons, up nearly 1% when compared to April, but down 5% when compared to May of last year.
To Read more about Ethanol Industry & Bio Energy News continue reading Agriinsite.com
Source : Ethanol Producer Magazine
