German biodiesel exports to Belgium up 68%, Czech Republic down 45%

German biodiesel exports reached the level of 2 million metric tons for the second year running in 2019-'20. Whereas the main buyer, the Netherlands, maintained its purchases virtually steady at the previous year's level, Belgium ramped up its biodiesel imports significantly.

German biodiesel exports continued to rise in the 2019-'20 crop year. The amount of around 2.2 million tons translates to an increase of 1.4 percent on the year. In other words, sales have climbed just about 40 percent over the past five years.

Traditionally, the Netherlands receive the largest quantities for onward exports to other EU countries or non-EU countries. In 2019-'20, the Netherlands remained the main recipient country with imports of around 827,000 tons, approximately the same tonnage as a year earlier.

Belgium purchased approximately 316,000 tons of biodiesel. This translates to a rise of 68 percent on 2018-'19. This means that for the first time, the country is the second most important recipient of German biodiesel.

Belgium has taken the place of Poland, which ordered 240,000 tons, only about 3 percent more than the previous year.

France also purchased somewhat more biodiesel than a year earlier, up 5 percent. Overall, however, the country has cut back its purchases considerably over the past five years. In 2014-'15 Germany delivered almost 180,000 tons to France. In 2019-'20 it was only 61,000 tons.

Biodiesel exports to the Czech Republic dropped sharply to 36,000 tons, down 45 percent.

Sweden, Austria, Switzerland and the U.S. also ordered less than the previous year.