Ethanol, Fuels and Co-Product Pricing
Market Outlook: U.S. ethanol prices ended last week 3.7 percent lower and have continued that trend in early week trading, down 0.7 percent through Tuesday’s close. Midwest wholesale rack ethanol prices were lower to end last week and are down 1.8 percent through Tuesday’s market close to their last quote of 38.74 cents/liter (142.66 cents/gallon).
FOB Houston ethanol prices finished last week 3.1 percent lower, and prices are down 3.6 percent through Tuesday’s trading from Friday’s close. FOB Houston ethanol prices are quoted at 37.69 cents/liter (142.66 cents/gallon). FOB Santos, Brazil anhydrous ethanol prices were higher last week; they are up early this week, rising 0.6 percent to 58.92 cents/liter (223.05 cents/gallon) through Tuesday’s trading.
The FOB Gulf-Santos, Brazil ethanol spread widened from last week’s close through Tuesday’s trading and is currently at -21.24 cents/liter (-80.39 cents/gallon).
MTBE prices fell 1.8 percent last week and have extended those losses in early week trading, down 4.9 percent from Friday’s close through Tuesday’s trading. MTBE’s premium to FOB Houston ethanol has increased from last week’s report and stands at 22.67 cents/liter (85.82 cents/gallon).
BTX component prices were mostly higher last week and have continued that trend through Tuesday’s market close: Benzene is up 0.4 percent while Toluene is up 1.3 percent, and Xylene is up 0.1 percent. The estimated weighted average aromatic price is currently 61.69 cents/liter (233.51 cents/gallon), down from last Friday’s close. The BTX-Houston ethanol spread widened last week, and the weighted average BTX price is 24.00 cents/liter (90.85 cents/gallon) higher than the FOB Houston ethanol price.
Gasoline and petroleum products were higher last week but have reversed that trend in early week trading. RBOB futures are down 1.0 percent to start the week while 84 octane RBOB (Houston) and 87 octane CBOB (U.S. Gulf) gasoline prices are down 1.4 and 0.1 percent, respectively. WTI futures are steady at $63.06/barrel while Brent futures are down 0.5 percent to $68.27/barrel, from Friday close through Tuesday’s close.
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