U.S. biodiesel exports fall in April as trade activity weakens

U.S. biodiesel exports fell to 19,808.6 metric tons in April from 28,283.8 metric tons in March, a drop that leaves less room for producers to clear supply into foreign markets just as the domestic mandate environment tightens. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service data reported June 9 show the April volume also came in below 21,545.9 metric tons in April 2025, underscoring how weak trade activity has become an added drag on biodiesel economics.

Canada remained the top outlet for U.S. biodiesel in April at 13,784.9 metric tons, followed by Peru at 5,628.9 metric tons. Indonesia also was listed among destinations, but the overall export pool reached only about five countries, a narrow base that makes the market more vulnerable when one or two buyers step back. April export value totaled $27.03 million, down slightly from $27.98 million in March.

The imbalance matters because biodiesel does not have the same buffer as some other fuels. When export demand softens, more barrels have to find a home in the domestic system, which can pressure plant utilization, widen inventory overhangs and squeeze crush margins if feedstock costs stay elevated. April imports were also subdued at 565.5 metric tons, up modestly from March but far below 4,417.3 metric tons in April 2025, leaving little evidence that foreign flows are helping to rebalance the market.

The weakness was building before April. Full-year 2025 U.S. biodiesel exports fell 55% from 2024 to 274,599.2 metric tons, while imports dropped 92% to 112,907.3 metric tons. For January through April 2026, exports totaled 58,973 metric tons worth $64.82 million, compared with 71,867.8 metric tons and $91.2 million in the same period of 2025. The long-run data from the Alternative Fuels Data Center show U.S. biodiesel exports peaked in 2008, a reminder that the trade side of the business has always been volatile and highly exposed to freight costs, foreign blending incentives and feedstock spreads.

The April trade drop lands as the policy backdrop turns more supportive. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized its Renewable Fuel Standard Set 2 rule on March 27, published it April 1 and set an effective date of June 15. The agency said the 2026 and 2027 biomass-based diesel and renewable diesel volumes imply production and use must rise by more than 60% from 2025 levels. That helps explain why the export question is so important now: if foreign demand weakens while domestic compliance demand rises, the pressure shifts back to U.S. plants, traders and feedstock suppliers to absorb the surplus.