Biodiesel (FAME): Movement
Which countries ship biodiesel, and why India barely trades
What this tab covers How it moves between countries: share of output traded, physical form and transport, the largest exporters and importers, main routes, India's trade, and handling rules in transit.Trade in 2024 UN Comtrade, HS 382600
World exports $21.4 bn 60 reporting exporters · about 15.4 m t Largest exporter Netherlands 26.8% of world exports Largest importer Netherlands 24.8% of world imports India imports $1,474exports $154 #87 importer · #57 exporter
Where it is exported from and imported to, 2024
Chart: World map of the largest trade flows
Exporter (size = share of world exports) Importer (share of world imports) Shipping chokepoint UN Comtrade 2024, HS 382600: shares of reported world exports and imports by value. Country-to-country route lines are not available for this commodity yet. Hover a circle for values.HS 382600: largest exporters
| Country | Share | Value (US$) | Tonnes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 26.8% | $5.74 bn | 5.02 m |
| Germany | 18.6% | $3.99 bn | 3.22 m |
| Belgium | 9.9% | $2.13 bn | – |
| Spain | 8.7% | $1.87 bn | 1.56 m |
| China | 5.4% | $1.16 bn | 1.11 m |
| United States | 3.7% | $798.4 m | 585k |
| Malaysia | 3.3% | $701.4 m | 688k |
| Canada | 2.7% | $572.1 m | 432k |
HS 382600: largest importers
| Country | Share | Value (US$) | Tonnes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 24.8% | $5.20 bn | 4.15 m |
| France | 11.7% | $2.45 bn | 1.97 m |
| Germany | 10.4% | $2.17 bn | 1.61 m |
| Belgium | 9.4% | $1.96 bn | – |
| United States | 9.3% | $1.95 bn | – |
| United Kingdom | 4.4% | $921.2 m | – |
| Italy | 4.1% | $863.1 m | – |
| Canada | 3.9% | $817.0 m | 582k |
How it moves
| Measure | Figure | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Share traded | about 30% (derived: 15.4 Mt of HS 382600 exports in UN Comtrade 2024 against about 47 Mt output; includes some HVO and intra-EU trade) | ||
| How it moves | Liquid in chemical and product tankers, barges on the Rhine, rail and road tankers. Needs heated tanks in winter for palm and tallow esters. | ||
| Routes and chokepoints | Mostly intra-European via ARA; Argentina and Malaysia to Europe; China to Europe (falling after duties); Singapore and ARA bunker markets. | ||
| India | India's biodiesel trade is negligible in Comtrade 2024; USDA forecasts exports of 110 million litres in 2026, up from 76 million litres in 2025, and negligible imports. | ||
| Handling in transit | Pure FAME is usually not regulated as dangerous goods (flash point above 100°C); blends with diesel ship as UN1202 (indicative). MARPOL Annex II applies to bulk FAME as a noxious liquid (indicative). |