In the latter half of 2025, the United States exported approximately 20% of its combined production of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a volume equivalent to nearly 50,000 barrels per day (b/d). This significant portion represents the largest export share among all biofuels for which data is published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
These exports, which include SAF under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code 2710.19.4550, primarily flowed to Canada, which received about half of the total volume. The remaining exports were largely directed towards European markets, with the Netherlands being a significant destination, accounting for roughly one-third of the shipments.
Previously, the EIA introduced data on renewable diesel exports in March 2025. The incorporation of this export data into existing statistics on production, imports, interregional movements, and stock changes provides a more comprehensive understanding of renewable diesel's consumption patterns across different U.S. regions. Before tracking exports, the EIA's estimates for renewable diesel product supplied, a proxy for consumption, were inflated as they included volumes that were ultimately exported.
Renewable diesel consumption is generally calculated by the EIA as refinery and blender net inputs, plus product supplied. Refinery and blender net inputs represent volumes that refiners and blenders report as blended with petroleum distillate. Product supplied is determined by net production, plus imports, minus inventory withdrawals, exports, and refinery and blender net inputs.
The category encompassing renewable diesel and other biofuels, which includes SAF, is reported under HTS code 2710.19.4550. The EIA currently assumes that the majority of these exports are renewable diesel due to the comparatively lower volume of U.S. SAF production. SAF is captured within the EIA's 'Other Biofuels' category. Consequently, when SAF is exported, the EIA's reporting system overstates renewable diesel exports and understates other biofuels exports.
The 'Other Biofuels' category also includes other emerging biofuels such as renewable heating oil, renewable naphtha, renewable propane, and renewable gasoline, which are in various stages of development and commercialization. These other biofuels are produced as byproducts at facilities primarily focused on renewable diesel or a combination of renewable diesel and SAF production.
By aggregating the total production and export volumes for both renewable diesel and other biofuels, the EIA achieves a more precise accounting of the total renewable fuels originating from renewable diesel and SAF plants.
In comparison to renewable diesel and SAF, the U.S. exported a smaller percentage of other biofuels in the second half of 2025. Specifically, 13% of fuel ethanol production and 7% of biodiesel production were exported during the same period.
Geographically, the majority of U.S. renewable diesel exports originated from the U.S. Gulf Coast (PADD 3) and the West Coast (PADD 5). Shipments from these regions were predominantly destined for Europe, with some also going to Canada. Exports from the Midwest (PADD 2) and Rocky Mountains (PADD 4) were entirely directed to Canada.
Following the second half of 2025, there was a notable decrease in exports of renewable diesel and other biofuels. In the first two months of 2026, these exports averaged less than 35,000 b/d, a decline from the nearly 50,000 b/d seen in 2H25. This reduction is largely attributed to decreased production, as numerous renewable diesel producers temporarily idled their facilities while awaiting the finalization of blending targets for 2026 under the Renewable Fuel Standard. These targets were officially announced on March 27.
