Germany’s biodiesel trade increased in the first half of 2026, with both exports and imports recording year-on-year growth amid firm demand from European markets, according to data from the Federal Statistical Office, biofuels international reported.
German biodiesel exports rose 3.4% year on year to 1.4 million tonnes between January and June 2026. Imports increased by 3.5% to 851,200 tonnes during the same period.
The Netherlands remained the main trading hub for German biodiesel, supported by the major ports of Rotterdam and Amsterdam. EU member states continued to account for most of Germany’s biodiesel export destinations, particularly the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland and Austria.
Demand from the Netherlands increased 22.8% year on year, while exports to Poland declined by around 20.3%, indicating changes in regional demand patterns.
On the import side, Germany sourced significant volumes from the Netherlands, Malaysia and Belgium. Shipments from Malaysia to the EU declined 30.2%, while supplies from Belgium increased by about 69.6%.
The Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (AMI) said the changing trade flows reflected differences in supply availability and market demand.
The German Association for the Promotion of Oilseeds and Protein Crops (UFOP) said continued biodiesel exports to neighbouring EU markets are supporting rapeseed oil prices and, consequently, returns for rapeseed growers. This has helped cushion the impact of weaker harvests in some regions.
UFOP expects prices to remain firm into the 2026/27 season as EU member states implement the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), which requires higher renewable fuel quotas.
The association also pointed to growing imports of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as another indicator of strong demand for renewable diesel fuels. HVO imports into Germany were estimated at around 325,000 tonnes in the first half of 2026, although these volumes are not included in the Destatis biodiesel trade figures.
UFOP noted that major agricultural economies, including the United States, Canada and Brazil, continue to use biofuel policies to support farm incomes, a trend it expects to remain an important factor in global agricultural and biofuel markets.
