Total Gallons Sold for the First Quarter of 2011 Increased 44% Over the Same Period of 2010

Adjusted EBITDA for the First Quarter of 2011 Improved to $1.5 Million From a Loss of $6.4 Million in the Same Period of 2010

(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Ethanol, Inc.(Nasdaq:PEIX), the leading marketer and producer of low-carbon renewable fuels in the Western United States, reported its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

Neil Koehler, the company's president and CEO, stated: "In the first quarter of 2011, we built on the strong foundation established in 2010 as we narrowed our loss from $11.7 million in the first quarter of 2010 to near breakeven this quarter, despite a challenging margin environment. We increased total gallons sold for the seventh consecutive quarter, demonstrating a compound annual growth rate of 66 percent. In addition, our 60 million gallon Stockton facility contributed to our growth in total gallons sold and gross profit. We look forward to building on this momentum into the months ahead."

Net sales were $173.1 million for the first quarter of 2011, compared to $71.3 million for the first quarter of 2010. Total gallons sold were 84.6 million for the first quarter of 2011, an increase of 25.9 million gallons over the 58.7 million gallons sold in the first quarter of 2010. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by the continued strength in Kinergy's marketing business with a 22% increase in third party gallons sold and a 38% increase in average sales price per gallon. In addition, the first quarter 2011 results include the impact of the Stockton plant being in operation whereas it was idled during the first quarter of 2010.

Gross profit was $2.6 million for the first quarter of 2011, compared to a gross loss of $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2010. The increase in gross profit was attributable to an additional plant being in operation in the first quarter of 2011 versus the same period in 2010. Operating loss for the first quarter of 2011 improved to $1.6 million from $6.2 million for the same period in 2010.

During the first quarter of 2011, the company recorded a non-cash gain of $0.9 million for fair value adjustments on convertible notes and warrants, representing the company's quarterly fair value adjustments. The company anticipates it will continue to revalue the convertible notes and warrants on a quarterly basis for the remainder of 2011.

Net loss available to common stockholders for the first quarter of 2011 was $0.3 million, compared to a net loss of $11.7 million for the first quarter of 2010. Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes the fair value adjustments on convertible notes and warrants of $0.9 million, improved to $1.5 million for the first quarter of 2011 from a loss of $6.4 million in the first quarter of 2010.