US Ethanol Prices Slip 2.6% Following Mid-August Gains

Ethanol USA market prices fell *.** in the late-August weekly assessment, reflecting a late-month pullback after stronger mid-month momentum. Early August held steady, mid-month activity strengthened as feedstock costs firmed and policy moves broadened blending windows, while late August saw a sharp run-up that reversed slightly in the final weekly assessment. Regulatory shifts around E**, elevated export activity, and tighter crop ratings set the tone for the month, while planned maintenance at several plants trimmed available capacity. Overall, August displayed a bullish monthly profile that ended with a modest weekly correction.

Demand dynamics clearly drove the transportation and export sectors. The transportation/gasoline blending market remained strong after the EPA waivers expanded E** sales and enabled uniform ** psi RVP gasoline with *–*** ethanol from ** August, supporting offtake for E** blends. In contrast, inventories flagged mid-month tempered immediate upside, though exports provided offsetting strength—U.S....