In the period from January to September last year, the Netherlands led biodiesel exports in the European Union (EU), according to data from Eurostat and reported by the Union for the Promotion of Plants and Proteins (UFOP) in Germany. Even with a reduction of 9% compared to the previous year, the country exported 3.1 million tons of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME).
In second place, Belgium exported 1.8 million tonnes, marking a decrease of 5% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. Germany remained the third largest exporter, with 1.6 million tonnes destined for other EU member states, an increase of 9% compared to the same range the previous year, according to analysis by Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft.
Germany expands sustainable trade with increase in exports to the Netherlands
Germany directed the largest volume of its biodiesel exports (FAME) to the Netherlands, totaling 742,000 tons. Notably, German exports of biodiesel produced from used cooking oil (UCOME) to EU countries grew by around 17%, reaching 8,000 tonnes. At the same time, German imports of Dutch biodiesel increased by 12%, totaling 706,000 tons.
Furthermore, Germany exported 228,000 tonnes of UCOME to the EU, 17% more. Netherlands received the largest share (182,000 tons).
UFOP called for inclusion of data on HVO in official statistics, emphasizing its growing importance in Germany and the EU. HVO is increasingly used to meet mandatory greenhouse gas reduction quotas. In 2022, Germany imported 385,000 tonnes of waste oils and 90,000 tonnes of palm oil for GHG reduction credits. UFOP mentioned the uncertainty in double counting of imports, as defined in Annex IX of RED II.
Source: Oils & Fats International
