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There was a 7.6% year-on-year increase in raw materials availability in 2025, to 18.3 million tonnes, from 17 million tonnes processed in 2024, Dirk Dobbelaere, the secretary general of the European Fat Processors and Renderers Association (EFPRA), said in a market overview presentation during the association’s annual congress in Tenerife.

As record-high US biofuel blending mandates and the 45Z tax credit drive competition for low-carbon feedstocks, used cooking oil, tallow and animal fats are becoming structurally constrained commodities that producers cannot rebalance through supply alone, a squeeze set to intensify well into 2026.

Buyer pushback remains the central theme in the bloodmeal market, even as some sources reported a rise in seller offerings against uneven demand.

After a six-month-long period of stagnation and a downward price movement, the European animal fat prices rebounded in early March and continued to move up through April, supported by increased demand and competitiveness against vegoils, which jumped as a result of the war in the Middle East and crude oil rally.

Global animal protein complex prices were mixed to mostly firmer in the week to Thursday April 9.

Crop-based biodiesel became cheaper than fossil diesel in the EU for the first time on Thursday April 2, when premiums for core crop grades FAME 0 (fatty acid methyl ester 0) and RME (rapeseed methyl ester) over ICE gasoil fell into negative territory.

From renewable diesel pulling animal fats out of feed rations to cattle supply tightness that won't resolve until 2027, Fastmarkets' US and European price reporters unpack the structural forces rewriting the rules of the animal fats and proteins market.

Strong demand pushed European biofuel feedstock prices further up during the week ending Thursday March 19, with sources reporting used cooking oil (UCO) trading at a €20 per tonne premium to last week’s levels, while category 3 animal fat prices moved up by €5-20 per tonne depending on the grade.

US animal fats and oils markets have moved higher in recent weeks alongside gains in soybean oil futures and diesel values, with improving renewable diesel and biodiesel economics driving stronger demand for feedstocks.