University of WI - Madison Global Comparison of National Biodiesel Production Potentials

 

Top 10 Countries by Absolute Biodiesel Potential
Rank	Country	Vol. potential (Liters)	Prod. Cost ($/Liter)
1	Malaysia	14,540,000,000	$ 0.53
2	Indonesia	7,595,000,000	$ 0.49
3	Argentina	5,255,000,000	$ 0.62
4	USA	3,212,000,000	$ 0.70
5	Brazil	2,567,000,000	$ 0.62
6	Netherlands	2,496,000,000	$ 0.75
7	Germany	2,024,000,000	$ 0.79
8	Philippines	1,234,000,000	$ 0.53
9	Belgium	1,213,000,000	$ 0.78
10	Spain	1,073,000,000	$ 1.71

Matt Johnston* and Tracey Holloway - Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment

Submitted to Environmental Science & Technology, October 13, 2006

Of all the vegetable oils and animal fats examined in the study, soybean and palm oil were by far the most common. The world's top five soybean and palm oil producers—Malaysia, Indonesia, Argentina, the United States and Brazil—accounted for 80% of the potential global biodiesel production, the researchers found.

We caution that biodiesel must be developed in a responsible and sustainable manner. Advanced production technologies are being pursued; including the use of crop selection optimization, the growing of dedicated energy crops such as jatropha on marginal lands, and eventually the use of algae-based oils which do not compete for fresh water or farm land. However, until these more efficient modes of production become commercialized, the ad hoc nature of current biodiesel growth will eventually impact global food supplies and long-term sustainability of agriculture production. Nevertheless, with the possibility of large gains in crop yields alone, it may be possible to significantly increase biodiesel production in the near term without requiring additional land or sacrificing food supply.

Resources: A Global Comparison of National Biodiesel Production Potentials