According to data from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, May's volume was 26 percent higher than the 4.3 million gallons sold in April, which was the lowest monthly sales recorded in Minnesota since Septemer 2018.  

Additionally, the department revised it's E15 volume for April to 4.3 million gallons from 3.8 million gallons, as previously reported.

On March 13, Gov. Tim Walz declared a state of peacetime emergency as the coronavirus pandemic began to spread in Minnesota. By March 17, places of public accomodation were directed to close. On March 27, a stay-at-home order was issued. 

Following the order, traffic volume throughout the state fell dramatically, resulting in lower fuel demand and sales. In March, E15 sales totaled 5.55 million gallons, 16 percent lower than the 6.65 million gallons sold in February. 

By mid-April, the traffic volume in the Twin Cities metro was 65 percent lower than what it was a year ago and E15 sales that month were consequently 22 percent lower (4.3 million gallons) than the previous month.

As restrictions on businesses and restaurants began loosening towards the end of May, traffic in the Twin Cities metro began increasing. By May 28, it was only 28 percent lower than the volume recorded a year earlier. May's E15 volume was 22.5 percent lower than May 2019 (7 million gallons).

On a cumulative basis, 28.79 million gallons of E15 was sold in Minnesota during the first five months of the year.