The measure could squeeze local supplies of soybean oil, used to make biodiesel in the South American country, and put upward pressure on grain prices. | Reuters photo

Argentina hikes biodiesel blend to counter fuel shortage

South American country concerned about poor supplies and high prices for country’s agriculture sector

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) — Argentina’s government will raise required biodiesel content in diesel blends in a bid to address a prolonged shortage of the motor fuel, especially for the country’s key agricultural sector, the energy ministry announced recently. The measure could squeeze local supplies of soybean oil, used to make biodiesel in the South American […] Read more

Nick Goddard, executive officer of the Australian Oilseeds Federation (AOF) said he is forecasting that European biodiesel demand for canola is going to drop off over the next three to eight years as Europeans increasingly embrace electric vehicles. | Getty Images

Food versus fuel, EU questions canola

The food versus fuel debate is resurfacing in Europe and that is not good news for Australian and Canadian canola growers. “It’s pretty obvious over time food will win,” Nick Goddard, executive officer of the Australian Oilseeds Federation (AOF) said in a pre-recorded presentation for the International Grains Council’s Grains Conference 2022. He is forecasting […] Read more

Germany plans to reduce the use of biodiesel produced from oilseed crops like canola, according to numerous reports. | Getty Images

Germany reported considering biofuel reduction

Governments around the world are taking steps to limit oilseed-based biofuel production to keep food price inflation in check. Germany plans to reduce the use of biodiesel produced from oilseed crops like canola, according to numerous reports. EurActiv reports that details of a reduction in Germany’s cap on crop-based biofuels are being discussed between the […] Read more


If the war in Ukraine causes food prices to further spike, the push to build up biodiesel capacity in countries such as the United States is likely to face growing scrutiny, two American experts told the Farm Foundation Forum.
 | Reuters photo

Food security worries spark biofuel debate

Burning crops while millions can’t afford food is an uncomfortable situation for wealthy countries. If the war in Ukraine causes food prices to further spike, the push to build up biodiesel capacity in countries such as the United States is likely to face growing scrutiny, two American experts told the Farm Foundation Forum. “We had […] Read more

COPA estimates that 6.5 million tonnes of U.S. and Canadian canola could be used in North American biodiesel and renewable diesel production by 2030, up from 1.8 million tonnes today.
 | File photo

U.S. poised to approve canola for renewable diesel

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is close to approving a pathway for canola oil to be used in the burgeoning renewable diesel sector, says an industry official. “We could see a proposed rule as early as this month and a final rule as early as July of this year,” said Chris Vervaet, executive director of […] Read more


The European Union imported 2.52 million tonnes of Canadian canola in 2020 due to demands from the biofuel sector. However, that has dropped to 523,945 tonnes through the first nine months of 2021 because of COVID-19 restrictions on travel and a sharp reduction in commuting to work, not that it was apparent in central Brussels last May. | Reuters/Yves Herman photo

Europe doubles down on renewable energy

Canadian growers would likely benefit from the new measures if the EU focuses on biofuel that uses crops such as canola

The European Commission wants to double the amount of renewable energy sources in its overall energy mix but it remains uncertain what that might mean for Canadian canola demand. Earlier this year the commission published a proposal to revise the Renewable Energy Directive to include a target of 40 percent renewables by 2030, up from […] Read more

Canada’s proposed Clean Fuel Standard will result in a nine percent biofuel blend rate in diesel by 2030. About 92 percent of that will come from Canadian canola, creating new demand for 1.5 million tonnes of oil and 3.4 million tonnes of seed. | Getty Images

Canola bides its time

In January 2020, the United States National Biodiesel Board announced it was setting an “ambitious target” of doubling biodiesel/renewable diesel production to 22.7 billion litres by 2030. Turns out it wasn’t nearly ambitious enough. The organization thinks the new timeline could be as soon as 2023 due to a plethora of announced expansions and new […] Read more

Parkland operates a refinery in Burnaby, B.C., that co-processes crude, canola oil and animal fat into fuel. | Submitted photo

Fuel company uses canola oil

In 2020, Parkland had revenues of slightly more than $14 billion. In 2019, the Calgary company sold more than 22 billion litres of petroleum products through its retail, wholesale and commercial operations in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Despite its size and hefty revenues, Parkland is not a household name in Western Canada. […] Read more


The soybean industry says U.S. president Joe Biden’s campaign promise to move the government fleet to electric vehicles is more of a threat to ethanol than biodiesel.  | Reuters photo

U.S. soy sector has high hopes for Biden

The American Soybean Association thinks it may have a receptive ear in Washington when lobbying on some of its key policy objectives. That is because president Joe Biden’s administration is keenly focused on addressing climate change and promoting sustainability programs. Steve Censky, chief executive officer of the ASA, hopes that means the U.S. Environmental Protection […] Read more

Hydrogenation-derived renewable diesel (HDRD) is starting to make inroads in the fuel sector.
 HDRD can be made with the same plant-based feedstocks as biodiesel, so it has piqued the interest of groups such as the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission.
 | File photo

Canola growers see opportunity in biofuel option

Demand is increasing for hydrogenation-derived renewable diesel, but no facilities are producing the fuel in Canada

Most farmers have heard of ethanol and biodiesel, two biofuels that have been godsends for the agriculture industry, but few have heard of another potential saviour. Hydrogenation-derived renewable diesel (HDRD) is starting to make inroads in the fuel sector. HDRD can be made with the same plant-based feedstocks as biodiesel, so it has piqued the […] Read more