U.S. biofuel producers used 27.97 billion pounds of feedstocks in April, according to new data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Feedstock use declined by nearly 8% from March, but remained 4% higher than April 2025, reflecting continued year-over-year growth despite a monthly slowdown.
Corn remained the dominant feedstock, accounting for 24.07 billion pounds in April. That was down from 26.59 billion pounds in March but modestly above the 23.70 billion pounds processed during the same month last year. Sorghum use totaled 550 million pounds, essentially unchanged from a year ago and slightly below March’s 560 million pounds.
Soybean oil consumption reached 1.224 billion pounds, with 686 million pounds used for biodiesel production and 537 million pounds consumed by renewable diesel facilities. While total soybean oil use declined from March’s 1.283 billion pounds, it remained dramatically higher than the 829 million pounds consumed in April 2025, underscoring continued expansion in renewable diesel demand.
Use of several other feedstocks also shifted during the month. Corn oil consumption increased to 477 million pounds, up from 432 million pounds in March and 293 million pounds one year earlier. Canola oil use totaled 365 million pounds, down from March’s 403 million pounds but nearly triple the 135 million pounds consumed in April 2025. EIA does not report separate corn oil or canola oil consumption for biodiesel and renewable diesel producers.
Other vegetable oil use fell to 103 million pounds, compared with 144 million pounds the previous month.
Among animal fats and recycled feedstocks, producers consumed 660 million pounds of tallow, 471 million pounds of yellow grease, and 53 million pounds of white grease in April. Tallow and yellow grease use increased from March levels, while white grease consumption changed little. Compared with April 2025, tallow and white grease use were lower, while yellow grease utilization increased modestly.
Adapted from an article originally shared by Biomass Magazine. Image Credit: iStock by Getty Images