Argentina: Biofuels Annual
Argentina’s fuel ethanol production and consumption remains stable with 2019 forecast at 1.1 billion liters with no trade expected and the E12 mandate blend near 11.5 percent. Biodiesel production in 2019 is projected to drop 9 percent year-over-year to 2.5 billion liters, following a 15 percent drop in 2018 with declining exports and production capacity use falling to 50 percent. Domestic consumption reflects little change at 1.3 billion liters, a near record high since 2017 but with no sustained upward movement since the B10 mandate was essentially met. Exports are forecast at 1.2 billion liters, down 400 million liters from last year. Argentina’s duty-free quota of 1.36 billion liters with a minimum set price to the EU is not expected to fill this year. No biodiesel exports are expected in 2019 to the US despite its preliminary lowering of countervailing duties due to remaining anti-dumping duties.