The United States exported nearly 50,000 barrels per day (b/d) of renewable diesel and other biofuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), during the second half of 2025, equivalent to around 20% of total combined production for those fuels, according to new data published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The figures, included in the April 2026 edition of the Petroleum Supply Monthly (PSM), highlight the growing role of international markets for U.S. renewable fuel producers, with Canada and Europe emerging as the main destinations for exports.

Canada and Europe dominate export destinations

Canada accounted for slightly more than half of total U.S. renewable diesel and SAF exports during the second half of 2025, while the Netherlands represented roughly one-third of export volumes. Most of the remaining shipments were sent to other European countries.

By region, most exports departed from the U.S. Gulf Coast (PADD 3), followed by the West Coast (PADD 5). Shipments from both regions were primarily destined for Europe, with some volumes also heading to Canada.

Additional exports originated from the Midwest (PADD 2) and Rocky Mountain region (PADD 4), where all exported volumes were shipped to Canada.

New export data reshapes consumption estimates

The EIA noted that the inclusion of renewable diesel export data provides a more accurate picture of domestic renewable fuel consumption in the United States.

The agency introduced renewable diesel export tracking in the March 2025 Petroleum Supply Monthly report, adding it to existing data covering production, imports, interregional movements and stock changes.

Previously, renewable diesel exports were not separately tracked, meaning exported volumes were effectively counted within product supplied figures — the EIA’s proxy for fuel consumption — resulting in higher apparent domestic consumption estimates.

The agency generally calculates renewable diesel consumption using refinery and blender net inputs plus product supplied. Product supplied is derived from net production plus imports minus inventory withdrawals, exports, and refinery and blender net inputs.

SAF exports included under renewable diesel category

Renewable diesel export data are collected by the U.S. Census Bureau under Harmonized Tariff Schedule code 2710.19.4550, which also includes exports of sustainable aviation fuel.

The EIA said it currently assumes most exports under this code are renewable diesel because U.S. SAF production volumes remain relatively low and are included within its “Other Biofuels” category.

As a result, SAF exports are currently counted within renewable diesel exports instead of being classified separately under other biofuels. The agency acknowledged that this methodology likely overstates renewable diesel exports while understating exports of other biofuels whenever SAF exports occur.

The “Other Biofuels” category also includes renewable heating oil, renewable naphtha, renewable propane, renewable gasoline and other emerging biofuels under development or commercialization.

These fuels are generally produced as byproducts at facilities focused primarily on renewable diesel or combined renewable diesel and SAF production.

Renewable diesel exports exceed other biofuel export shares

The report showed renewable diesel and other biofuels had the highest export share among major U.S. biofuels during the second half of 2025.

Around 20% of renewable diesel and other biofuel production was exported during the period, compared with 13% of fuel ethanol production and 7% of biodiesel production.

Exports slow in early 2026

In the first two months of 2026, exports of renewable diesel and other biofuels fell to less than 35,000 b/d on average, down from nearly 50,000 b/d in the second half of 2025.

According to the EIA, the decline was largely linked to lower production levels as several renewable diesel producers temporarily idled capacity while awaiting the release of final 2026 blending targets under the Renewable Fuel Standard.