DES MOINES – The price of wholesale ethanol was down $.08 cents this week, closing at $1.48 per gallon.

Crude Oil Summary

The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $1.90 per barrel over last week, and is currently priced at $52.06.

Brent crude oil was down $1.67 and is currently priced at $54.86.

One year ago WTI crude sold for $36.50 and Brent crude was at $39.16.

Motor Fuels

As of Tuesday, March 7th, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.32 across Iowa according to AAA.  This is up a penny from last week and $.39 higher than one year ago.  The national average on Tuesday was $2.31, one cent lower than last week’s price. 

Retail diesel fuel prices in Iowa held steady with a statewide average of $2.47.   One year ago diesel prices averaged $1.96 in Iowa.   The current Iowa diesel average is $.05 lower than the national average of $2.52.

Wholesale ethanol prices were down $.08 from last week’s price, closing at $1.48. 

The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.60 for U87-E10, $1.79 for Unleaded 87 (clear), ULSD#2 is at $1.68, ULSD#1 is at $1.78, and E-70 is priced at $1.62 per gallon.

Heating Fuels

Propane prices were down $.03 from last week’s report, with a statewide average of $1.23 per gallon.  Home heating prices are down a penny from last week, ending with a statewide average of $2.01.  Natural Gas prices are up $.14 at the Henry Hub reporting site and ended the week at $2.58 / MMbtu.