US biodiesel exports down in September, imports up substantially
November 8, 2023
BY Erin Voegele
The U.S. exported 57,739.5 metric tons of biodiesel and biodiesel blends of B30 or greater in September, according to data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on Nov. 7. Imports of biodiesel reached 183,451.7 metric tons for the month.
The 57,739.5 metric tons of biodiesel exported in September was down 26 percent when compared to the 77,877.3 metric tons exported the previous month and down 36 percent when compared to the 90,297.1 metric tons exported in September of last year.
The U.S. exported biodiesel to approximately five countries in September. Canada was the top destination for U.S. biodiesel exports at 51,784.1 metric tons, followed by Peru at 5,572.5 metric tons and Germany at 207.2 metric tons.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The value of U.S. biodiesel exports fell to $102.8 million in September, down from $138.54 million in August and $183.611 million in September 2022.
Total biodiesel exports for the first nine months of this year reached 673,309.4 metric tons at a value of $1.2 billion, compared to 636,834.4 metric tons exported during the same period of last year at a value of $1.18 billion.
The 183,451.7 metric tons of biodiesel and biodiesel blends of B30 or greater imported in September was up 31 percent when compared to the 139,738.4 metric tons imported in August and up 181 percent when compared to the 65,176.7 metric tons imported in September 2022.
The U.S. imported biodiesel from approximately eight countries in September. Germany was the top source of U.S. biodiesel imports during the month at 58,758.9 metric tons, followed by Spain at 43,612.7 metric tons and Canada at 29,400.2 metric tons.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The value of U.S. biodiesel imports reached $300.51 million in September, up from $222.43 million the previous month and $131.87 million in August of last year.
Total biodiesel imports for the first three quarters of 2023 reached 1.22 million metric tons at a value of $2.09 billion, compared to 512,060.4 metric tons imported during the same period of 2022 at a value of $873.47 million.
Additional data is available on the USDA FAS website.
Related Stories
Varo Energy, a European energy company based in Switzerland, on March 31 announced an agreement to acquire Preem, a Sweden-based petroleum and biofuels company that is developing additional renewable diesel and SAF capacity.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has disbanded an advisory committee that provided the agency with private sector advice aimed at boosting the competitiveness of U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency exports, including ethanol and wood pellets.
Iowa’s Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program on March 25 awarded nearly $3 million in grants to support the addition of E15 at 111 retail sites. The program also awarded grants to support two biodiesel infrastructure projects.
Tidewater Renewables Ltd. has reported there was a minor fire on April 1 in the main renewable diesel process unit at the corporation's renewable diesel refinery located in Prince George, British Columbia.
U.S. operatable biofuels capacity increased slightly in January, with gains for ethanol, according to the U.S. EIA’s Monthly Biofuels Capacity and Feedstock Update, released March 31. Feedstock consumption was down when compared to December.
Upcoming Events
