The US animal fats and oils markets opened the week on a stronger note on Tuesday February 18, with firming prices across multiple feedstock categories, particularly in the Gulf Coast region.

Market participants pointed to ongoing buying interest, limited availability and broader strength in vegetable oil markets as key drivers of the upward momentum.

Prices for both used cooking oil (UCO) and tallow delivered into the Gulf continued to rise, assessed at 53 cents per lb and 55 cents per lb, respectively, on Tuesday.

Outside of the Gulf, five railcars of technical tallow traded at steady levels of 56 cents per lb, Chicago basis. Meanwhile, the bleachable fancy tallow markets remained quiet, though many expect packer-grade to follow renderer prices higher, given the trends late last week.

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