Biodiesel market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The Swedish biodiesel market expanded in 2019, with volume reaching 922 тыс. т, up from 826 тыс. т the previous year, while market value remained near $896 млн. A sharp contraction followed in 2020, reducing volume to 695 тыс. т and value to $676 млн.

Import volumes fluctuated after 2020, peaking at 400 тыс. т in 2023. This period was shaped by EU trade measures, including a 27% anti-dumping duty on biodiesel from Indonesia implemented in 2022, which altered import dynamics. Concurrently, a strong shift toward waste-based feedstocks like used cooking oil reduced competition with food crops and supported sustainability goals within the bloc.

Market conditions in 2023 were further influenced by global supply chain disruptions and volatile crude oil prices, impacting import costs. Major industry players, such as Neste Oyj, reinforced market activity through investments in renewable diesel capacity, aligning with EU climate policies that drive biodiesel adoption in heavy transport sectors.

Production biodiesel in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sweden's biodiesel production value declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 525.3 million US dollars, but then fell sharply by 43.9% to 294.6 million US dollars in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 15.6%, with an average annual decline of 5.5%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production grew by 28.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sweden in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Sweden's biodiesel production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output peaked at 575.0 thousand tonnes, but then dropped sharply by 40.4% to 342.7 thousand tonnes in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 17.9%, with an average annual decline of 6.4%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019, when production rose by 28.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports biodiesel from Sweden

Exports in kind, K t

Sweden's biodiesel export volumes declined after two years of growth. In 2019, exports reached their highest point at 20.8 thousand tonnes, but then fell by 34.1% to 13.7 thousand tonnes in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 19.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when exports surged by 37.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Norway and the Netherlands were the dominant buyers of Swedish biodiesel, together accounting for 82.3% of total export volumes. Other trading partners played a more limited role during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Sweden in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Sweden's biodiesel export values showed significant volatility during this period. In 2017, exports hit their lowest point, then peaked in 2019 at 21.0 million US dollars, representing a 2.4-fold increase from the 2017 trough. In 2020, export value declined by 30.3% to 14.7 million US dollars compared to the previous year. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when export value jumped by 121.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sweden in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Norway and the Netherlands dominated Sweden's biodiesel exports in value terms. Norway accounted for 66.1% of total export value, while the Netherlands represented 17.8%, giving these two countries a combined share of 83.9%. Other trading partners accounted for the remaining 16.1%.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Sweden in value, 2017-2020

Imports biodiesel to Sweden

Imports in kind, K t

Sweden's biodiesel import volumes declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports reached their peak at 392.2 thousand tonnes, then decreased by 6.3% in 2019. In 2020, imports showed little change from the previous year, totaling 365.8 thousand tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 49.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.3%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when imports grew by 60.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway formed the main cluster of suppliers for Sweden's biodiesel imports. Germany accounted for 30.9% of import volumes, the Netherlands for 22.6%, and Norway for 16.1%, giving these three countries a combined share of 69.6% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Sweden in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Sweden's biodiesel import values showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2017, imports hit their lowest point, then peaked in 2018 at 442.6 million US dollars, representing a 1.8-fold increase from the 2017 trough. In 2020, import value stood at 395.7 million US dollars, showing a modest 1.1% increase from the previous year. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when import value surged by 80.9%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2019, when imports fell by 11.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sweden in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway remained the three largest markets for Sweden's biodiesel imports in value terms, together accounting for 70.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Sweden in value, 2017-2020