China vaults to top buyer of US ethanol in October as imports soar

New York

CHINA'S purchases of US ethanol soared to 32.6 million gallons in October, its biggest-ever monthly volume, pushing imports from the United States so far this year to a hefty 43.5 million gallons, US government data showed on Friday.

That could mean China ends the year as the sixth-largest market for US ethanol after vaulting to the top importer spot in October, past more typical buyers such as Canada, Brazil and the Philippines.