EU sees continued threat of surge of imports of fuel ethanol, renews surveillance measures

European Commission takes action to monitor imports from several countries, confirming strategic importance of EU ethanol sector

BRUSSELS, 15 September 2026 – The European Commission has extended trade surveillance measures on imports of fuel ethanol into the EU from several countries, acknowledging the potential for a surge that could threaten the European renewable ethanol industry.

The Commission’s decision, published on 14 September, acknowledges the threat of a surge of fuel ethanol imports into the EU, pointing to recent dramatic increases in imports from the US and Brazil as worthy of continued close monitoring.

The decision ensures imports are under monthly statistical scrutiny and allows for a rapid reaction should import volumes threaten further injury to the European renewable ethanol industry.

“The Commission’s action confirms that the EU understands the strategic importance of a domestic ethanol industry,” said Laurent Donceel, Secretary General of ePURE, the European renewable ethanol association. “At a time when policymakers are trying to boost Europe’s competitiveness, energy independence, food security and industrial autonomy, we need to make sure that ‘Made in Europe’ solutions such as renewable ethanol are not drowned out.”

EU imports of renewable fuel ethanol have risen sharply in recent years, prompting the Commission, following a request from ePURE, to introduce a dedicated surveillance tool to monitor import trends. First monitoring started in November 2020 for one year and second monitoring started in September 2023 for three years; the new decision extends the surveillance for an additional three years, until September 2029.

The Commission found that EU imports from all origins have continued to surge from 621,954 tonnes in 2023 to 967,354 tonnes in 2025, representing a 55% increase. The US, as number one exporting country, represents 44% of total renewable ethanol imports in 2025, followed by Canada, Ukraine, and the UK. US exports went up from 114,000 tonnes in 2023 to 423,000 tonnes 2025. Brazil’s exports to the EU continued to show an increase from 25,000 tonnes in 2023 to 46,000 tonnes in 2025.

The Commission also noted the vast spare capacities in both the US (12.5 million tonnes) and Brazil (16 million tonnes) while EU’s consumption was around 5 million tonnes in 2025. This combined excess capacity of over 28 million tonnes is potentially available for export, therefore capable to cover more than 5.5 times the EU demand.

The Commission investigation found that several economic indicators have been deteriorating, showing signs of injury suffered by the sampled EU producers. The Commission concluded that it was in the EU interest that imports of bioethanol should continue to be subject to retrospective EU surveillance until 2029.

Contact: Craig Winneker, ePURE Director of Communications: winneker@epure.org

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