EU Reduces Palm Oil Imports: Market Dynamics and Key Suppliers
This is reported by AgroReview
From July 2025 to early March 2026, European Union countries significantly reduced their purchases of palm oil compared to the previous year. This trend reflects an overall decline in consumption within the EU amid the implementation of new environmental standards.
Dynamics of Palm Oil Imports
According to the latest statistics from the European Commission, from July 1, 2025, to March 3, 2026, EU countries imported 1.9 million tons of palm oil from abroad. This is less than nearly 2.0 million tons during the same period last year and significantly lower than the figure of 2.4 million tons in the 2023/2024 marketing year. The decline in import volumes has been observed for several consecutive years.
Key Suppliers and Market Changes
Indonesia remains the largest exporter of palm oil to the EU, supplying 597 thousand tons during the reporting period. However, this is 8% less than the previous year. Malaysia, which ranks second among suppliers, increased its shipments by 4% to 484 thousand tons. Guatemala also shows positive dynamics, boosting its exports to the EU by 5%, reaching 282 thousand tons. Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea reduced its supplies by nearly 17%, and Honduras experienced the steepest decline, exporting 36% less than the previous year.
The reduction in palm oil imports to the EU is attributed to the gradual exclusion of biofuels based on this product from national quotas by 2030, which has already been implemented in some member states. This has further intensified the trend of reducing purchases and consumption of palm oil in Europe.
The Union for the Promotion of Oilseed and Grain Cultivation in Germany (UFOP) emphasizes that the decrease in consumption is related to the planned exclusion of biofuels from palm oil in light of national commitments by 2030.
At the same time, experts warn of potential risks associated with the import of palm oil mill effluent (POME), which may be used as raw material for biofuel production. This factor is also taken into account in the future regulation of the EU market.