MENA: Biodiesel Market 2025

Biodiesel Market Size in MENA

In 2021, the MENA's biodiesel market decreased by -13.5% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, consumption, however, posted a strong increase. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Biodiesel Production in MENA

In value terms, biodiesel production reduced modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded pronounced growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the production volume increased by 238% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Biodiesel Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2021, shipments abroad of biodiesel increased by 74% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, exports continue to indicate a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 388%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, biodiesel exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, exports saw significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 418%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Turkey was the key exporting country with an export of around X tons, which resulted at 75% of total exports. Egypt (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 16% share, followed by Tunisia (7.1%).

Turkey was also the fastest-growing in terms of the biodiesel exports, with a CAGR of +166.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Egypt (+69.3%) and Tunisia (+23.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. While the share of Turkey (+74 p.p.) and Egypt (+16 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Tunisia (-81.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest biodiesel supplier in MENA, comprising 74% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Egypt ($X), with a 16% share of total exports.

In Turkey, biodiesel exports increased at an average annual rate of +126.6% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Egypt (+85.8% per year) and Tunisia (+25.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, rising by 33% against the previous year. Export price indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, biodiesel export price increased by +88.6% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 34%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Tunisia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+9.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Biodiesel Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2021, purchases abroad of biodiesel increased by 54% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, imports, however, showed a sharp reduction. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, biodiesel imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, recorded a precipitous curtailment. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Turkey was the major importer of biodiesel in MENA, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was near 46% of total imports in 2021. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 14% share, followed by Saudi Arabia (12%), Israel (9.7%) and Bahrain (8.5%). Qatar (X tons) and Jordan (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to biodiesel imports into Turkey stood at -7.7%. At the same time, Saudi Arabia (+309.6%), Qatar (+54.0%), the United Arab Emirates (+33.5%), Jordan (+9.1%) and Bahrain (+8.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Saudi Arabia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MENA, with a CAGR of +309.6% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Israel (-43.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Turkey (+41 p.p.), the United Arab Emirates (+13 p.p.), Saudi Arabia (+12 p.p.), Bahrain (+8.3 p.p.) and Qatar (+3.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Israel saw its share reduced by -83.9% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest biodiesel importing markets in MENA were Turkey ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X), with a combined 75% share of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Saudi Arabia, with a CAGR of +195.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, surging by 24% against the previous year. Import price indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, biodiesel import price increased by +104.2% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 51% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (+11.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform