AgWeb.com Editors

Ethanol demand moved higher in June, to a new all-time record of 443,000 barrels per day (b/d), according to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). For the first six months of the year, ethanol demand is averaging 420,000 b/d.

Ethanol production also edged higher in June, though continuing to trail the ethanol demand, RFA noted. U.S. ethanol producers added 418,000 b/d of ethanol supply to the tight U.S. gasoline market, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

For the first six months of the year, ethanol production has averaged 393,000 b/d, producing just under three billion gallons of ethanol.

Currently, 128 ethanol biorefineries nationwide have a capacity to produce more than 6.7 billion gallons annually. Additionally, 77 biorefineries are under construction and 7 are expanding which will add more than 6.6 billion gallons of new production capacity in 2009.