The United States is the largest producer of biofuel in the world, mainly producing bioethanol from corn and biodiesel from soybean oil.
The Brazil is the second-largest producer and leads in sugarcane-based ethanol production.
Together, the United States and Brazil account for the majority of global biofuel production.
Here’s a detailed overview of the biggest producer of biofuel in the world and how global biofuel production looks right now:
Largest Biofuel Producer: The United States
🇺🇸 United States — World’s Leading Biofuel Producer
- The United States is by far the largest biofuel producer in the world. In 2024, it produced more biofuel energy than any other country by a significant margin.
- In global biofuel output measured in energy units (petajoules), the U.S. led with approximately 1,917 PJ of biofuel in 2024.
- With this production level, the United States accounted for close to 40% of all biofuel produced worldwide, making it the dominant player in the global biofuel market.
Types of Biofuels Produced
The United States produces multiple biofuel types, with the main categories including:
- Ethanol – Mainly produced from corn, ethanol is widely blended with gasoline to reduce fossil fuel use.
- Biodiesel – Produced from vegetable oils, animal fats, and recycled cooking oil.
- Renewable Diesel (HVO) – A fast-growing segment that can fully replace fossil diesel in engines.
Policy Drivers
Biofuel production in the U.S. is supported by policies such as renewable fuel standards, blending mandates, and incentives that encourage blending ethanol and biodiesel into traditional fuels — all of which have helped the industry scale. (These factors are widely documented in global energy sector analyses.)
Other Major Biofuel Producers
Although the United States leads, several other countries also play key roles:
🇧🇷 Brazil — Second Largest Producer
- Brazil consistently ranks second after the U.S.
- Its biofuel production is dominated by ethanol from sugarcane, which is more energy-efficient and lower-carbon compared to many other feedstocks.
🇮🇩 Indonesia — Third Largest Producer
- Indonesia has significant biofuel output, especially biodiesel, largely derived from palm oil feedstocks.
🇨🇳 China and 🇮🇳 India
- China and India rank among the top producers, with rapidly growing biofuel sectors due to expanding blending mandates and renewable energy targets.
Global Biofuel Production Snapshot
Here’s how the top producers stack up (based on barrels of oil equivalent per day):
| Country | Estimated 2024 Biofuel Production (k bbl/day) |
|---|---|
| United States | ~856 k bbl/day (largest) |
| Brazil | ~510 k bbl/day (second) |
| Indonesia | ~205 k bbl/day (third) |
| China | ~106 k bbl/day |
| India | ~70 k bbl/day |
(k bbl/day = thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day)
Why the U.S. Leads
Several factors explain the U.S. leadership in biofuel production:
- Abundant feedstock resources (especially corn for ethanol).
- Strong government policies and mandates to blend biofuels with fossil fuels leading to high domestic consumption.
- Well-developed biofuel infrastructure and large industrial capacity.
Summary
🇺🇸 United States – The Biggest Biofuel Producer Worldwide
- Produces the most biofuel overall (~38–40% of global production).
- Leads in ethanol, biodiesel, and especially the fast-growing renewable diesel segment.
Other major contributors: Brazil (ethanol focus), Indonesia (biodiesel), China and India (rapid growth).
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