Ethanol Market and Pricing Data – December 14, 2022

Ethanol, Fuels and Co-Product Pricing

Market Outlook: U.S. ethanol prices ended last week 2.3 percent lower but reversed those losses in early week trading and  rose 5.2 percent through Tuesday’s close. Midwest wholesale rack ethanol prices were lower to end last week but were up 0.9 percent through Tuesday’s market close to their last quote of 63.19 cents/liter (239.19 cents/gallon).

FOB Houston ethanol prices finished last week 6 percent lower but are up 1.3 percent through Tuesday’s trading from Friday’s close. FOB Houston ethanol prices are quoted at 59.31 cents/liter (224.49 cents/gallon). FOB Santos, Brazil anhydrous ethanol prices were lower last week; they are down in early week trading, falling 1.2 percent to 63.16 cents/liter (239.09 cents/gallon) through Tuesday’s trading.

The FOB Gulf-Santos, Brazil ethanol spread has narrowed from last week’s close through Tuesday’s trading and is currently at -3.86 cents/liter (-14.6 cents/gallon).

MTBE prices fell 2.4 percent last week and continued that trend in early week trading, falling 11 percent from Friday’s close through Tuesday’s trading. MTBE’s premium to FOB Houston ethanol has decreased from last week’s report and stands at 2.91 cents/liter (11.01 cents/gallon).

BTX component prices were sharply lower last week and were lower still through Tuesday’s market close: Benzene was down 1 percent while Toluene was down 1.5 percent, and Xylene was up 0 percent. The estimated weighted average aromatic price is currently 102.22 cents/liter (386.95 cents/gallon), down from last Friday’s close. The BTX-Houston ethanol spread narrowed last week, and the weighted average BTX price is 42.92 cents/liter (162.46 cents/gallon) higher than the FOB Houston ethanol price.

Gasoline and petroleum products were lower last week but are sharply higher in early week trade. RBOB futures are up 4.9 percent to start the week while 84 octane RBOB (Houston) and 87 octane CBOB (U.S. Gulf) gasoline prices are up 6.5 and up 1.9 percent, respectively. WTI futures are 6 percent higher at $75.26/barrel while Brent futures are up 6 percent to $80.68/barrel, from Friday through Tuesday’s close.

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