Ethanol Market and Pricing Data – March 3, 2021

Ethanol, Fuels and Co-Product Pricing

Market Outlook: U.S. ethanol prices ended last week 0.6 percent higher and are extending those gains that trend in early week trading, up 0.6 percent through Tuesday’s close. Midwest wholesale rack ethanol prices were higher to end last week but are down 0.6 percent through Tuesday’s market close to their last quote of 48.56 cents/liter (183.82 cents/gallon).

FOB Houston ethanol prices finished last week 2.3 percent higher and are up 0.6 percent through Tuesday’s trading from Friday’s close. FOB Houston ethanol prices are quoted at 48.96 cents/liter (185.34 cents/gallon). FOB Santos, Brazil anhydrous ethanol prices were higher last week; they are up in early week trading, rising 4.2 percent to 57.53 cents/liter (217.79 cents/gallon) through Tuesday’s trading.

The FOB Gulf-Santos, Brazil ethanol spread has widened from last week’s close through Tuesday’s trading and is currently at -8.57 cents/liter (-32.45 cents/gallon).

MTBE prices rose 10.8 percent last week and are extending those gains in early week trading, up 3.1 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 3.07 cents/liter (11.63 cents/gallon).

BTX component prices were sharply higher last week and are higher through Tuesday’s market close: Benzene is up 5.9 percent while Toluene is up 0.1 percent, and Xylene is up 4.2 percent. The estimated weighted average aromatic price is currently 64.23 cents/liter (243.14 cents/gallon), up from last Friday’s close. The BTX-Houston ethanol spread widened last week, and the weighted average BTX price is 15.27 cents/liter (57.8 cents/gallon) higher than the FOB Houston ethanol price.

Gasoline and petroleum products were higher last week but are mixed in early week trading.  RBOB futures are down 0.7 percent to start the week while 84 octane RBOB (Houston) and 87 octane CBOB (U.S. Gulf) gasoline prices are up 1.3 and up 1.3 percent, respectively. WTI futures are 2.8 percent lower at $59.75/barrel while Brent futures are down 2.9 percent to $62.54/barrel, from Friday through Tuesday’s close.

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