Amid the backdrop of low corn prices, ethanol production climbed to a record high the week ended July 26, according to the Energy Information Administration. Production of corn-based ethanol averaged 1.109 million barrels a day. There were 1.095 million barrels produced the prior week.

The Midwest represents the largest ethanol-producing region. Ethanol production averaged 1.045 million barrels a day. On the Gulf Coast, production reached 29,000 barrels a day, while Rocky Mountain production was reported at 13,000 barrels a day. The East Coast remained flat at 12,000 barrels a day.

The USDA reported that ethanol producers are expected to use 5.45 billion bushels of corn in the 2024/2025 marketing year that starts on September 1. That would be equivalent to the current year.

Ethanol inventories increased to 23.973 million barrels in the week ending July 26. That’s an increase from 23.723 million barrels a week earlier. The Energy Information Administration reports it is the largest stockpile since the week ending May 17.

Read more about the record ethanol production here.