Wedoany.com Report on Mar 17th, According to the latest statistics from the European Commission, the EU imported 1.9 million tonnes of palm oil between July 1, 2025, and March 3, 2026, a decrease from the nearly 2 million tonnes imported during the same period the previous year. This data continues the declining trend observed in recent years, reflecting persistently low demand for palm oil in the EU market.

The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) points out that the decline in palm oil imports is primarily due to EU policy adjustments. Starting from 2030, palm oil-based biofuels will be excluded from counting towards national quota obligations, and some member states have already implemented this regulation ahead of schedule. UFOP stated, "This policy change has directly impacted palm oil consumption."

However, UFOP also warns that imports of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) could undermine the policy's effectiveness. POME is a byproduct of palm oil production. UFOP welcomes the European Commission's current draft implementing regulation, which clearly specifies testing requirements for POME as part of comprehensive on-site inspections. According to the association, this is a crucial step in preventing fraud.

In terms of supplier countries, Indonesia remains the EU's largest source of palm oil, supplying 597,400 tonnes this period, though this represents an 8% year-on-year decrease. Malaysia, as the second-largest supplier, saw its exports increase by approximately 4% to 484,000 tonnes. Data shows that EU palm oil imports from July 2023 to March 2024 were about 2.4 million tonnes, indicating a clear drop from the current level.

The changing demand for palm oil in the EU not only affects the global trade landscape but also reflects the advancement of renewable energy policies. With the improvement of testing mechanisms, the market is expected to develop in a more standardized direction.