US ethanol output averaged 1.008 million barrels per day (b/d) in the week ended November 20, the first time ever that weekly production has crossed the 1-million b/d mark, The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) said, commenting on data by the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
That is 33,000 b/d more than the previous week. At 984,000 b/d the four-week average for ethanol production was the highest since the week ended June 19, 2015, translating into an annualized rate of 15.08 billion gallons (57.08 billion litres).
Ethanol stock were also up, increasing by 2% from the week before to a 17-week high of 19.6 million barrels. No ethanol was imported for the second week in a row.
Daily ethanol production represented 11.3% of daily gasoline demand in November 14-20, the highest percentage since the first week of February, according to the figures.
Demand for ethanol has been supported by low pump prices which have encouraged more driving in the country.