10/07/26
EU waste oils imports fell in April 2026
Amsterdam, 10 July (Argus) — Total EU imports of waste oils from outside the
bloc under HS code 151800 — a category that mainly includes used cooking oil
(UCO), but also other waste oils and residues — reached 231,300t in April.
Volumes fell by 22pc from March but were up by 16pc year on year, according to
EU customs data accessed via Global Trade Tracker (GTT). Higher transportation
costs following the escalation of the US-Iran conflict probably weighed on EU
imports in April. Concerns over disruption to traffic through the strait of
Hormuz — a key artery for global crude and oil product exports — pushed up
energy prices and freight rates , increasing the cost of shipping UCO to Europe
and potentially reducing import volumes on the month. China remained the EU's
largest supplier in April, shipping 94,800t, down by 14pc from March but still
17pc higher on year to date terms. Increased US demand, supported by record
2026-27 domestic blending mandates and surging prices, may have diverted some
Chinese waste oil volumes away from Europe, contributing to the monthly decline
in shipments. Malaysia remained the second largest supplier, delivering 40,000t
in April, down by 29pc on the month. Malaysia's overall exports year to date
increased by 55pc, partly offsetting restricted Indonesian exports . The UK
retained its position as the third-largest exporter, with exports rising by 1pc
on the month to 24,900t. The Netherlands remained the dominant EU entry point,
importing 141,300t in April, which was down by 20pc on the previous month. It
accounted for 61pc of total EU imports. Spain remained the second-largest
importer at 63,600t, up by 5pc from March, taking 28pc of total EU imports.
Sweden was again third, importing 5,700t in April, down by 7pc on the month,
accounting for 2pc of total EU imports. Saudi Arabia was the fourth largest
supplier, with March-April 2026 volumes totalling 20,500t, slightly lower than
the same period a year prior. By Kawtar Rettab and Anna Prokhorova EU-27 used
cooking oil imports from outside EU t Apr 26 ± Apr/Mar 26 ±% Apr/Mar 26 ± Apr
26/25 ±% Apr 26/25 Jan-Apr 26 ± Jan-Apr 26 ±% Jan-Apr 26 Imports by origin China
94,844 -15,665 -14% 49,450 109% 356,195 51,048 17% Malaysia 40,023 -16,377 -29%
26,000 185% 191,492 67,849 55% UK 24,924 335 1% 10,152 69% 99,200 28,816 41%
Other origins 71,545 -34,548 -33% -53,439 -43% 363,595 -32,928 -8% Imports by
destination Netherlands 141,373 -36,096 -20% 17,186 14% 596,946 146,916 33%
Spain 63,670 2,830 5% 44,530 233% 236,133 30,307 15% Sweden 5,705 -456 -7%
-8,576 -60% 34,856 -82 -0% Other origins 20,588 -32,533 -61% -20,977 -50%
142,547 -62,356 -30% Total 231,336 -66,255 -22% 32,163 16% 1,010,481 114,785 13%
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