Market reference update: Contract examples below may be historical. See the official exchange resources for current listings and terms.
Ethanol futures are standardized, exchange-traded contracts in which the contract buyer agrees to take delivery, from the seller, a specific quantity of ethanol (eg. 29000 gallons) at a predetermined price on a future delivery date.
Exchange and contract information
Contract availability, lot size, quotation units, exercise style and settlement are product-specific. Use the current official resources below; historical contracts named in older examples should not be assumed to be listed today.
Official futures market resources
Use the exchange pages for current contract specifications and margin information. Quotes may be delayed or require sign-in. Margin requirements vary by position and broker.
| Exchange & futures product | Market information | Margin information |
|---|---|---|
| NYMEX Denatured Fuel Ethanol (EL) | Quotes / market data Contract specifications | View margin information |
The legacy CBOT EH contract was delisted. The current NYMEX EL contract has different specifications; the old 29,000-gallon examples below are historical.
Exchange references reviewed 2026-09-12. Educational examples and exchange names elsewhere in this article may be historical.
Ethanol Futures Price Chart
Current NYMEX EL ethanol, not the delisted CBOT EH contract used in older examples. Continuous contract; prices may be delayed and differ from individual expiries.
Search for NYMEX:EL1! on TradingView. TradingView does not provide this market in its embedded charts.
Ethanol Futures Trading Basics
Consumers and producers of ethanol can manage ethanol price risk by purchasing and selling ethanol futures. Ethanol producers can employ a short hedge to lock in a selling price for the ethanol they produce while businesses that require ethanol can utilize a long hedge to secure a purchase price for the commodity they need.
Ethanol futures are also traded by speculators who assume the price risk that hedgers try to avoid in return for a chance to profit from favorable ethanol price movement. Speculators buy ethanol futures when they believe that ethanol prices will go up. Conversely, they will sell ethanol futures when they think that ethanol prices will fall.
Learn More About Ethanol Futures & Options Trading
- Buying Ethanol Futures to Profit from a Rise in Ethanol Prices
- Selling Ethanol Futures to Profit from a Fall in Ethanol Prices
- Ethanol Options Basics
- Ethanol Call Option Trading Basics
- Ethanol Put Option Trading Basics
- Hedging Against Rising Ethanol Prices with Ethanol Futures
- Hedging Against Falling Ethanol Prices with Ethanol Futures
