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.
| 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% |
| — GTT | ||||||||
