Imports of palm oil into the EU fell significantly

In the period from July 2024 to early March 2025, the EU imported significantly less palm oil than in the same period last year, reflecting an overall decline in consumption within the EU, according to the German Union for the Promotion of Oilseeds and Cereals (UFOP).

According to the latest data from the EU Commission, the Union received a total of just under 1.9 million tonnes of palm oil from abroad in the period from 1 July 2024 to 6 March 2025, significantly less than the 2.4 million tonnes imported in the same period last year. In the period from July 2022 to March 2023, imports of the tropical oil by the EU-27 reached around 2.8 million tonnes.

Indonesia remains the most important country of origin with 608,100 tonnes, although it shipped 23% less from July to early March than in the same period last year. Malaysia, the second largest supplier, also delivered around 30% less – 426.8 thousand tons. According to a study by Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (mbH), the decline in deliveries from Guatemala is even more significant – by 37%. Only Papua New Guinea was able to slightly increase its deliveries during this period.

The UFOP cites the gradual phase-out of credits for palm oil biofuels, as stipulated in the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), by 2030 as the reason for the reduction in palm oil imports. In addition, the association emphasizes that biodiesel deliveries to Germany and thus to the EU are increasing as a result of double counting of biofuels from certain types of waste oils as part of obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Virtual greenhouse gas emission quotas and those that can be offset from the previous year are displacing physical volumes from Germany to the EU market. This can also be seen in Germany’s surplus of biodiesel exports, which increased to 1.62 million tonnes (2023 shipments were 1.27 million tonnes).

Indonesia is expected to export 6.9% less palm oil in 2025, or 27.5 million tonnes, Indonesia’s largest palm oil group (GAPKI) reported earlier.

Tags: EU, palm oil