EU imports of UCO-based biodiesel remain high despite punitive tariffs

Since February, the EU-27 has imposed duties on biodiesel imports from China, ranging from 10 percent to 35.6 percent, depending on the feedstock. Nevertheless, pressure from Chinese imports remains strong.

According to Eurostat, imports of methyl-ester biodiesel made from used cooking oil (UCO) from third countries totaled 1.04 million metric tons between this January and June.

This represents a year-on-year increase of 223,335 tons, or just over one fifth.

The ranking of the top-five supplier countries remained unchanged: China continued to lead, followed by the U.K., Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Russia.

The share of individual countries in EU imports, however, shifted significantly in some cases.

China increased its share of total third-country imports to 41 percent in the first six months of 2025, delivering approximately 431,343 tons.

This nearly doubled the volume recorded in the same period in 2024, when imports stood at roughly 217,300 tons, representing a share of 25 percent.

In contrast, imports from several other non-EU countries declined noticeably.

According to research by Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (mbH), Malaysia’s deliveries dropped 44 percent year-on-year, reaching 81,000 tons.

Imports from the U.K. fell 8 percent to 83,250 tons.

Russian deliveries plunged by just over one third.

Meanwhile, UCO-biodiesel imports from Saudi Arabia and Argentina rose 30 percent and 18 percent, respectively.

In light of these statistics, the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e.V. (UFOP) has pointed out the continued need to tighten certification requirements and toughen on-site inspections.

With the introduction of the EU database, all economic operators in the EU, Asia and North and South America must now be recorded.

Additionally, producers of so-called “advanced” biofuels are also required to register.

The UFOP has noted that Article 28(6) of RED II explicitly provides for this procedural identification requirement.

The association, however, has criticized the European Commission for failing to enforce this rule when approving certification schemes.

UFOP argues that when a plausibility check of a sustainability certificate indicates potential fraud, a clearly defined administrative procedure should be triggered at the EU level, under the responsibility of the commission.

This measure should not be limited to biofuels derived from waste and residues, UFOP stated.

It should also apply to the use of break crops and plants grown on degraded land for biofuel production, as permitted by the commission, according to UFOP.

“The UFOP has cited the controversial case of the Italian oil group Eni, which processes sunflower seed sourced from so-called ‘degraded land’ in Congo—a practice the UFOP deems agriculturally questionable,” the association stated.