Ethanol Industry Shows Resurgence in Profitability

Heightened Investment in Advanced Technologies and Co-Products

The latest annual ethanol industry report, compiled by Christianson & Associates, PLLP (C&A), has been released. The Biofuels Benchmarking 2012-13 Annual Industry Report provides analysis of changes and trends for a broad cross-section of the ethanol industry over the most recent six calendar quarters (January 2012-June 2013).

The information in the report is gleaned from actual production data gathered from plants throughout the United States and Canada who participate in the Biofuels Benchmarking™ program administered by C&A.

Radical shifts in corn prices and quality, due to last year’s U.S. drought, provided challenges and opportunities to broaden revenue sources, leading to strong profitability as corn prices grew more favorable for producers through the first part of 2013.

John Christianson, principal partner at C&A, notes that although ethanol producers saw increasing challenges in 2012, the industry continued to mature and prosper. “By aggressively seeking out additional co-product revenue streams,” commented Christianson, “plants remained profitable despite leaner margins, and emerged as stronger players in the ag economy.”

The 57-page report contains overall analysis of a variety of contributing factors to plant profitability and efficiency, as well as special sections comparing performance by geographic region and plant production capacity.