Regional Biodiesel Producers Report Increased Demand in May

The coronavirus pandemic has certainly not affected the different fuel types in the same way, at least so far.  In April, EPA Moderated Transactions showed a 43.5 percent in ethanol consumption, a 17 percent drop in renewable diesel consumption, and a 0.40 percent decline in biodiesel.

A number of regional producers reported better volumes in May, some showed reduced production.  If May plays out anything like April, it would seem that the pandemic has had little effect on biodiesel output.  Energy Information Agency (EIA) data shows that ethanol production has been steadily climbing since hitting its low during the second to last week of April. Ethanol stocks, which hit an all-time high five weeks after the pandemic was announced are now at a 25-week low.

While we do not have on going weekly data for biodiesel production there was a 31 percent decline…