Brazil approves biodiesel imports for blending

In Brazil, the ANP Board of Directors approved a resolution that regulates the import of biodiesel for use in the mandatory mixture with diesel oil of fossil origin, amending ANP Resolutions No. 777/2019 and No. 857/2021. The liberalization of biodiesel imports by Brazil could provide access to the product on the international market, with different alternative origins, bringing potential benefits to Brazilian consumers.

Biodiesel is used for mandatory mixing with diesel, currently at a rate of 12%, in addition to other experimental and personal consumption uses (for the last two, imports were already permitted). According to the approved resolution, the volume of biodiesel imported by each fuel distributor will be limited to 20% of the total volume for mandatory mixing. This is because ANP Resolution No. 857/2021 determines that distributors must monthly prove the purchase of biodiesel from a producer holding the Social Biofuel Seal, in a minimum portion of 80%.

The ANP’s measure follows guidelines from the National Energy Police Council (CNPE), which determined, in CNPE Resolution No. 14/2020, that the ANP regulate the import of this product.

The same CNPE resolution established that all biodiesel necessary to meet the mandatory percentage of mixing with diesel oil must be contracted through a commercialization model regulated by the ANP, established in Resolution No. 857/2021 of the Agency.