European imports of biodiesel surge

After the anti-dumping tariffs on biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia were suspended, imports showed a steep rise.

Biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia have multiplied over the last year after regulatory changes. In previous years, biodiesel from Malaysia accounted for the biggest share of imports, according to Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP).

After the Argentine biodiesel industry had successfully taken action before the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the punitive tariffs imposed by the EU Commission, the latter had to abolish the additional duties. As a result, biodiesel exports from Argentina soared. Based on data from Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (AMI), more than half of Argentine biodiesel production goes into exports. This is the result of the Argentine government's policy of differentiated export tariffs (DET's) which is criticised by the European biodiesel industry.

Despite the European Union being the world’s biggest producer of biofuel (with an output of 13 million tonnes including HVO), the continent imported a total of 3.3 million tonnes in 2018 – three times more than the previous year.

The main recipients of biodiesel from overseas are the Netherlands, Spain and Belgium because of the large storage capacities at their ports.

The UFOP has said to be “disappointed about the EU Commission's attitude and that the Commission is insufficiently committed to protecting European production of biodiesel and rapeseed.”