Ethanol fell to 1.86 USD/Gal on October 7, 2025, down 2.24% from the previous day. Over the past month, Ethanol's price has fallen 6.66%, but it is still 16.46% higher than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Ethanol - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on October of 2025.

The world benchmark for fuel ethanol - U.S. Omaha wholesale price - stood at 50.2 U.S. dollars per barrel in 2024. This annual average was lower than in the previous two years, after rising to a high of 70.75 per barrel in 2022.

Brazil BR: Consumer Fuel Price: Ethanol: Maximum data was reported at 6.490 BRL/l in Mar 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 6.490 BRL/l for Feb 2025. Brazil BR: Consumer Fuel Price: Ethanol: Maximum data is updated monthly, averaging 3.150 BRL/l from Jul 2001 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 284 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.989 BRL/l in Mar 2022 and a record low of 1.580 BRL/l in Jul 2001. Brazil BR: Consumer Fuel Price: Ethanol: Maximum data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Brazil – Table BR.PF002: Consumer Fuel Price: Brazil: Monthly. Note:The Survey of Price and Margin Fuels Marketing covers gasoline, hydrated ethanol fuel, diesel oil without additive, compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) which have been surveyed in 555 locations, about 10% municipalities in Brazil, in accordance with procedures established by the Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels.The results of the Survey of Price and Margin Fuels Marketing contain selling price to the final consumer and purchasing price from the wholesaler of gasoline, hydrated ethanol fuel, diesel oil without additive, CNG and LPG observed in each municipality which has participated in the survey.

In 2024, a liter of commercial hydrous ethanol fuel in Brazil was sold at an average price of **** Brazilian reals. This represented an increase of roughly three percent in comparison to the previous year, when Brazil's average sale price of ethanol fuel reached **** Brazilian reals. Hydrous ethanol accounts for most of the ethanol production in Brazil.

Brazil BR: Wholesale Fuel Price: Ethanol: Maximum data was reported at 4.043 BRL/l in Aug 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.884 BRL/l for Jul 2020. Brazil BR: Wholesale Fuel Price: Ethanol: Maximum data is updated monthly, averaging 2.464 BRL/l from Jul 2001 (Median) to Aug 2020, with 230 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.693 BRL/l in Mar 2020 and a record low of 1.287 BRL/l in Nov 2001. Brazil BR: Wholesale Fuel Price: Ethanol: Maximum data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Brazil – Table BR.PF009: Distributor Fuel Price: Brazil: Monthly (Discontinued). Note:The Survey of Price and Margin Fuels Marketing covers gasoline, hydrated ethanol fuel, diesel oil without additive, compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) which have been surveyed in 555 locations, about 10% municipalities in Brazil, in accordance with procedures established by the Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels.The results of the Survey of Price and Margin Fuels Marketing contain selling price to the final consumer and purchasing price from the wholesaler of gasoline, hydrated ethanol fuel, diesel oil without additive, CNG and LPG observed in each municipality which has participated in the survey.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Fuel Ethanol market size was USD 88515.5 million in 2024. It will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.00% from 2024 to 2031.

North America held the major market share for more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 35405.20 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% from 2024 to 2031.
Europe accounted for a market share of over 30% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 26554.65 million.
Asia Pacific held a market share of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 20358.57 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.0% from 2024 to 2031.
Latin America had a market share of more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 4425.78 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4% from 2024 to 2031.
Middle East and Africa had a market share of around 2% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD 1770.31 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% from 2024 to 2031.
The Synthetic held the highest Fuel Ethanol market revenue share in 2024.

Market Dynamics of Fuel Ethanol Market

Key Drivers for Fuel Ethanol Market

Renewable Energy Goals to Increase the Demand Globally: Governments globally are championing renewable energy to cut greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change. Ethanol, a biofuel made from agricultural crops, supports these objectives by providing a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. Many countries implement mandates or incentives to boost ethanol use, recognizing its role in reducing carbon footprints and enhancing energy sustainability. These policies aim to foster a shift towards greener energy sources, helping mitigate environmental impact and promote long-term ecological balance. Through such initiatives, ethanol becomes a key player in advancing global renewable energy goals.

Energy Security to Propel Market Growth: Reducing reliance on fossil fuels strengthens energy security by diversifying fuel sources and minimizing dependence on imported oil. Ethanol production plays a crucial role in this strategy by providing a renewable, domestically sourced alternative. By integrating ethanol into the energy mix, countries can decrease their vulnerability to volatile oil markets and geopolitical uncertainties. This shift not only promotes stability in energy supply but also supports local economies through agricultural and industrial investments. Enhanced energy security through ethanol contributes to a more resilient and self-sufficient energy infrastructure, ensuring a stable and sustainable energy future.

Key Restraint Factor for the Fuel Ethanol Market

Food vs. Fuel Debate to Limit the Sales: The food versus fuel debate centers on concerns that dedicating agricultural land to ethanol production may impact food security and drive up food prices. As land and crops are diverted from food production to biofuel use, it raises fears of reduced food supply and higher costs for consumers. This tension can constrain the growth of ethanol production, as policymakers balance the benefits of renewable energy against potential negative effects on food availability. Addressing these concerns requires innovative solutions to optimize land use and enhance crop yields, ensuring that both energy and food needs are met sustainably.

Key Trends for Fuel Ethanol Market

Transition to Second-Generation (Cellulosic) Ethanol: Recent advancements are facilitating the production of ethanol from non-food biomass, such as agricultural waste. These developments mitigate the food-versus-fuel dilemma and promote enhanced sustainability. Second-generation ethanol is attracting interest due to its long-term ecological advantages.

Strategic Alliances and Expansion of Global Trade: Nations are progressively establishing trade agreements for the import and export of ethanol. Brazil and the United States are prominent exporters, while the Asia-Pacific region and Europe serve as significant consumers. These international supply chains improve availability and contribute to price stability.

Impact of Covid-19 on the Fuel Ethanol Market

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the fuel ethanol market, causing a sharp decline in demand due to reduced transportation activity and economic slowdowns. ...

This paper analyzes the relationship between gasoline and ethanol markets. Previous researches emphasize on substitution effect between gasoline and ethanol. However, in Brazil gasoline and ethanol are substitutes and complementary goods. We investigate the substitution and complementarity effects between fuels by using Structural Vector Autoregressions Vector (SVAR). As a result, in the short run gasoline price shock effect in ethanol demand is greater than ethanol price shock. In the long run, however, consumers make the consumption of ethanol grow. Furthermore, the introduction of flex fuel technology in Brazil did not produce any impact on ethanol price and demand. The crisis has affected positively the biofuel price nevertheless. As an implication, due to gasoline price shock the sucroalcohol sector must guarantee the ethanol domestic supply in the long run.

The Ethanol Fuel Production industry consists of companies that concentrate on producing nonpotable ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, for use as motor fuel. Products are primarily used as a biofuel additive for gasoline. According to the United States Department of Energy, more than 98.0% of gas in the United States contains some ethanol. Ethanol fuel is a domestically produced alternative to traditional fuel, generally made from corn. The dry-milling process, which composes most ethanol plants in the US, involves converting corn to flour and fermenting it to form ethanol. This makes operations highly sensitive to commodity prices, such as the world price of crude oil and corn. The industry has encountered significantly volatile conditions attributed to heavy fluctuations in commodity prices, prompting significant changes in the price of ethanol. Amid the onset of the pandemic in 2020, the cost of ethanol fell considerably because of reduced demand, resulting in collapsing industry revenue that year. As the economy reopened in 2021, demand returned and the price of ethanol surged. Trends reversed in 2023 and 2024 as corn and ethanol prices plummeted. Still, the enormous rise in 2021 effectively offset all other declines, enabling the industry to boom overall. Ethanol Fuel Production industry revenue has been accelerating at a CAGR of 5.0% over the past five years and is expected to total $32.3 billion in 2024, when revenue will fall by an estimated 5.9%. Profit also increased because of higher industry selling prices and a drop in wages. The industry will fare worse going forward, with a slated contraction. This contraction can be attributed to declines in the price of crude oil and subsequent decreases in the price of ethanol. Since most of the industry's meteoric growth was due to price increases, not production, falling commodity prices will cause industry revenue to regress. Ethanol Fuel Production industry revenue is expected to inch downward at a CAGR of 0.4% to $31.6 billion over the five years to 2029.

In 2024, the price for ethanol fuel sales in Colombia averaged ***** thousand Colombian pesos per gallon, the highest price reported during the period in consideration. That year, figures more than doubled the record low average price recorded in 2019, at some **** thousand Colombian pesos per gallon. In most Colombian departments, ethanol fuel is to be added to commercialized gasoline at a minimum mandated blend of six percent.

China Transaction Price: Fuel Ethanol: Changsha data was reported at 6,000.000 RMB/Ton in Nov 2019. This stayed constant from the previous number of 6,000.000 RMB/Ton for Oct 2019. China Transaction Price: Fuel Ethanol: Changsha data is updated monthly, averaging 6,000.000 RMB/Ton from Jan 2003 (Median) to Nov 2019, with 198 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,600.000 RMB/Ton in Sep 2011 and a record low of 4,200.000 RMB/Ton in Apr 2009. China Transaction Price: Fuel Ethanol: Changsha data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Price Monitoring Center, NDRC. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Price – Table CN.PA: Price Monitoring Center, NDRC: Transaction Price: Production Material: Fuel.

Fuel Ethanol Market size was valued to be USD 95.48 Billion in the year 2023 and it is expected to reach USD 148.66 Billion in 2031, at a CAGR of 5.69% over the forecast period of 2024 to 2031.

Fuel ethanol is a renewable, domestically produced biofuel made from plant materials like corn, sugarcane, or cellulosic biomass that can be mixed with gasoline or used as an alternative fuel source. It is used as a gasoline additive to increase octane and improve vehicle emissions as it burns cleaner and cooler than pure gasoline, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The production of fuel ethanol involves the fermentation of sugars derived from plant materials, a process similar to brewing beer, followed by distillation to increase the alcohol concentration. Fuel ethanol has been promoted as a way to reduce dependence on imported oil, support domestic agriculture, and contribute to environmental sustainability by utilizing renewable resources and reducing harmful emissions from the transportation sector.

Government Policies and Mandates: The growth of the fuel ethanol market is being driven by government policies and mandates aimed at promoting the use of renewable fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. These policies, such as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in the United States and the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) in the European Union, mandate the blending of biofuels like ethanol with gasoline, creating a consistent demand for fuel ethanol. Concerns over Energy Security: The need to reduce dependence on imported oil is fueling the demand for domestically produced fuel ethanol as an alternative to gasoline derived from crude oil. Fuel ethanol is perceived as a means to enhance energy security by diversifying the transportation fuel mix and relying more on locally produced biofuels. Economic Benefits for Rural Communities: The production of fuel ethanol is creating economic opportunities in rural areas where feedstocks, such as corn and sugarcane, are grown and processed. This economic impact, including job creation and income generation, is driving support for the fuel ethanol industry from agricultural communities and policymakers. Technological Advancements: Continuous advancements in the production processes, feedstock utilization, and conversion technologies are improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of fuel ethanol production. These technological advancements, including the development of advanced biofuels from cellulosic biomass, are contributing to the growth of the fuel ethanol market. Environmental Considerations: Fuel ethanol is being promoted as a cleaner-burning alternative to gasoline, as it produces lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduces air pollution from the transportation sector. The perceived environmental benefits of fuel ethanol are driving its adoption as part of efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change and improve air quality.

The north and north-east regions of Brazil had the highest average sale price of ethanol fuel in 2024, with figures amounting to **** and **** Brazilian reals per liter, respectively. Meanwhile, the central-west region had the lowest price, standing below the national average, at **** Brazilian reals per liter. Brazil's ethanol fuel production has surpassed ** million cubic meters in recent years.

The global fuel ethanol market, valued at $80 billion in 2025, is projected to experience steady growth, driven by increasing demand for renewable energy sources and stringent government regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. The market's 3.2% CAGR from 2025 to 2033 indicates a continuous, albeit moderate, expansion. Key drivers include the growing adoption of flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) capable of running on ethanol blends, coupled with rising fuel prices and concerns over energy security. Government incentives and subsidies for ethanol production further stimulate market growth, especially in regions like North America and South America, where extensive corn and sugarcane cultivation provides a readily available feedstock. However, the market faces constraints including the competition from other biofuels like biodiesel, land-use concerns related to large-scale ethanol production, and fluctuating agricultural commodity prices that can impact ethanol's cost-competitiveness. The market segmentation reveals significant opportunities in cellulosic ethanol, which utilizes non-food biomass, offering a more sustainable and potentially cost-effective alternative to starch- and sugar-based ethanol in the long term. Major players such as Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, and Valero Energy Corporation are strategically positioned to capitalize on these trends through technological advancements, supply chain optimization, and strategic partnerships. The diverse applications of fuel ethanol across conventional and flexible fuel vehicles continue to shape market dynamics. Regional variations in market share will largely be influenced by government policies, feedstock availability, and the degree of FFV adoption. North America and South America are expected to maintain significant market shares due to established ethanol production infrastructure and substantial agricultural capacities. While Europe and Asia Pacific are showing growth potential, regulatory frameworks and infrastructure development play critical roles in their adoption rates. The shift toward sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation fuels coupled with technological advancements aimed at improving ethanol's efficiency and reducing its production costs will be crucial in determining the overall market trajectory over the forecast period. The market is likely to witness increased consolidation among key players as companies seek to expand their production capacity and market reach.

China Transaction Price: Fuel Ethanol: Shenzhen data was reported at 6,027.000 RMB/Ton in Nov 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6,035.000 RMB/Ton for Oct 2019. China Transaction Price: Fuel Ethanol: Shenzhen data is updated monthly, averaging 6,517.500 RMB/Ton from May 2005 (Median) to Nov 2019, with 174 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,500.000 RMB/Ton in Nov 2011 and a record low of 4,900.000 RMB/Ton in Sep 2006. China Transaction Price: Fuel Ethanol: Shenzhen data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Price Monitoring Center, NDRC. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Price – Table CN.PH: Ethanol Price: 36 City.

In 2023, the European Union's fuel ethanol production was estimated to be roughly *** billion liters. This figure is forecast to increase to *** billion liters in 2024.

The global fuel ethanol market, valued at $80 million in 2025, is projected to experience steady growth, driven by increasing demand for renewable energy sources and government initiatives promoting biofuel adoption. A compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2% from 2025 to 2033 indicates a gradual but consistent expansion. Key growth drivers include stringent emission regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, coupled with rising fuel prices and energy security concerns. The market segmentation reveals a significant contribution from conventional fuel vehicles, although flexible fuel vehicles are exhibiting strong growth potential, fueled by advancements in vehicle technology and increasing availability of E85 blends. Starch-based ethanol currently dominates the type segment, owing to its established production infrastructure and relatively lower production costs compared to cellulosic ethanol, though the latter is expected to witness considerable growth in the long term due to its sustainable nature and potential for reducing reliance on food crops. Geographic analysis shows a strong concentration of the market in North America, largely driven by the United States' well-established biofuel industry and supportive government policies. However, emerging economies in Asia-Pacific, particularly China and India, present significant growth opportunities as their transportation sectors expand and their focus on cleaner energy intensifies. Market restraints include the volatility of agricultural commodity prices, which affects the cost of ethanol production, and competition from other biofuels and alternative energy sources. Despite the positive outlook, the fuel ethanol market faces challenges. The competition from other renewable fuels like biodiesel and electricity requires continuous innovation and cost reduction strategies within the ethanol industry. Furthermore, land use changes associated with increased ethanol production need to be carefully managed to minimize environmental impact. Addressing these challenges through technological advancements, improved production efficiency, and sustainable sourcing practices will be crucial for sustaining the market's growth trajectory. The strategic partnerships between ethanol producers and automotive manufacturers will also play a significant role in promoting the wider adoption of fuel ethanol and in developing advanced biofuel technologies. The continued investment in research and development, focused on improving the efficiency and sustainability of cellulosic ethanol production, is critical for unlocking the full potential of this promising segment.

Explore the factors influencing wholesale ethanol prices, including agricultural feedstock costs, government policies, and energy market dynamics. Understand how corn prices, renewable fuel standards, and crude oil competition impact ethanol as a biofuel additive for gasoline to reduce carbon emissions.

In March 2025, the price for corn-based ethanol sales in Argentina reached nearly *** thousand Argentine pesos per liter. This represented a nearly four-fold increase in comparison to a year earlier. That same month, the price for ethanol from sugarcane stood at ***** pesos per liter. These prices refer to sales for the mandated ethanol blend in gasoline the country.

Explore the significant impact of USDA reports on ethanol pricing, a key component of the renewable fuel sector, and its influence on the agricultural economy and gasoline costs.

The use of ethanol as a fuel additive became unprofitable in 2020, which threatens countries' plans to switch to environmentally friendly fuels, but the demand for alcohol-based disinfectants increased significantly.