US manufacturers produced around 960,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in July, while sales reached approximately 1 million tons, reported Biomass Magazine, citing data released by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The EIA’s Monthly Densified Biomass Fuels Report, based on responses from 74 operating manufacturers, showed that producers purchased 960,000 tons of raw biomass feedstock during the month. Output comprised 150,599 tons of heating pellets and 813,212 tons of utility pellets.
Exports accounted for the bulk of sales, reaching 880,690 tons in July at an average price of $210.91 per ton. Domestic sales stood at 118,525 tons, with an average price of $243.39 per ton.
The surveyed manufacturers had a combined annual production capacity of 13.2 million tons and employed the equivalent of 2,516 full-time workers.
Inventory levels showed contrasting trends across product categories. Utility pellet stocks declined to 365,403 tons in July from 503,736 tons in June. In contrast, inventories of premium and standard wood pellets increased to 265,492 tons from 241,018 tons over the same period.
The EIA reported total US densified biomass fuel production capacity at 13.1 million tons in July. Regional capacity was concentrated in the South at 10.64 million tons, followed by the East at 1.82 million tons and the West at 642,700 tons.
The monthly survey covers manufacturers with annual production capacity of at least 10,000 tons. Smaller facilities are excluded from the monthly report and submit production data annually.
