March Biodiesel Exports Rise while Imports Fall

The US imported 14.2 million gallons of biodiesel while exporting 9.2 million gallons in March, according the US Census Bureau. Import activity was down 12 percent from February and 41 percent below the amount imported in March of 2019. Imports during the first quarter of 2020 are nine percent below Q1 of 2019 and likely to see further reductions due to the COVID 19 pandemic. March imports were in line with the monthly two-year average of 14.5 million gallons.  Three countries shipped biodiesel to the US during the month, which is down From five in February. Canada accounted for 58 percent of the monthly volume. Germany, South Korea and Spain accounted for the balance.

Renewable diesel (RD) imports are not covered by the US Census Bureau but are tracked by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). EIA reporting lags that of the US Census…