Prices for US animal fats and oils ended the week on a lower note on Friday December 20, with most markets trending downward ahead of the upcoming holiday week, when trade activity is expected to slow significantly.

The week was characterized by regulatory uncertainty, reports of distressed selling and widespread softening demand, particularly in the Midwest.

On Friday, Gulf Coast prices continued to decline, with used cooking oil (UCO) trading in a narrower range of 43.50-46.00 cents per lb, delivered, as the upper end edged lower. This brings the weekly average price down 0.71% to 45.63 cents per lb.

Tallow markets in both the Gulf and Chicago also recorded declines throughout the week. On Friday, Gulf trades fell to 44 cents per lb, delivered, while packer-grade bleachable fancy tallow (BFT) traded lower mid-week at 42.50 cents per lb, Chicago basis, bringing the weekly average down by 2.05%.

…