US Imports of Used Cooking Oil Up Sharply in 2023

Data from Oil World showed the US imported 1.406 million MT of used cooking oil (UCO) in calendar year 2023, a massive rise from the previous year at 396,000 MT and two years ago at 129,000 MT.  China was the major source delivering 718,000 MT but nil in the past two years.  

Canada followed supplying 268,000 MT, rising from 232,000 MT and 108,000 MT in 2022 and 2021, respectively.  Quite significant volumes likewise came from Australia at 93,000 MT (97,000 MT in 2022 and none in 2021), Chile at 86,000 MT (3,000 MT and 8,000 MT) and New Zealand 70,000 MT (35,000 MT and none).   

Oil World data also showed the US import of biodiesel (excluding HVO) leaped steeply at 1.702 million MT in 2023 from 785,000 MT in 2022 and 681,000 MT in 2021. The EU was the biggest supplier at 1.096 million MT, a jump from 407,000 MT and 218,000 MT in 2022 and 2021, respectively.  Canada followed at 455,000 MT, compared to 330,000 MT and 384,000 MT of the last two years.