Crunch time

Prices stabilising, overall production exceeding demand and stocks at an all-time high - the current picture seems rosy for the oilseed processing industry. Following an especially challenging 18 months, these signs of partial recovery are surely a relief for biofuel processors and – in many respects – there is more good news to come.
As nations and corporations step up plans to replace fossil fuels with more sustainable alternatives, demand for biofuels worldwide is expected to rise by a staggering 30% by 2026 , having already posted a 35% increase between 2018-2020.
Right now, the outlook is bright. However, looking a little further into the future, a few storm clouds begin to gather on the horizon.
Considering factors like skyrocketing demand for renewable diesel, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and bio-jet fuel, as well as regulatory shifts like the European Union’s phasing out of palm oil usage, market commentators have warned that the biofuel industry is heading for a potentially serious feedstock crunch.
The consumption...