Despite the government shutdown, the weekly EIA data continues to be released. Ethanol production for the week ending October 17 rose by another 38,000 barrels per day to 1.112 million barrels per day, which is near a record level. Stocks also saw a decline during the week, down 709,000 barrels to 21.919 million barrels. Refiner inputs of ethanol were down 4,000 barrels per day to 911,000 barrels per day, while ethanol exports increased by 22,000 barrels to 130,000 barrels per day.

Due to the ongoing shutdown, the USDA has once again delayed the weekly Export Sales report. Traders estimate that between 0.8 and 2 million metric tons of corn were sold during the week ending October 16.