U.S. ethanol facilities were churning out 640,000 barrels per day in the month of September, according to the latest oxygenate report from the Energy Information Administration. That is an increase of nearly 200,000 barrels per day from a year ago, but a slight decline of 7,000 barrels per day from the August production figures. The Renewable Fuels Association reports ethanol demand continues to outpace production. In September, the RFA estimated ethanol demand at 688,000 b/d, reflecting the dramatic increase in production from a year ago as well as the surge in imports seen in September. Another indicator of demand is statistics from the International Trade Commission. Their data shows imports of ethanol totaled more than 107 million gallons, with nearly 68 million gallons coming directly from Brazil. Imports are up by 18 million gallons compared to August.