International Bioenergy Trade Opportunities and Barriers Reviewed

Researchers from Utrecht University (Netherlands) and United Nations Agencies (UNIDO, UNCTAD) obtained an overview of 'market actors' currently perceived as major opportunities and barriers for the current (and future) development of international bioenergy trade. The overview was made for three biofuel commodities: bioethanol, biodiesel and wood pellets. In their review, the researchers mention that international trade of certain biofuel commodities have grown in recent years, but some barriers have hampered this growth. They cite examples for the case of palm oil (biodiesel feedstock) exports from Southeast Asia and biodiesel production in Western Europe which have received criticism from some sectors.

Using an internet-based stakeholder input survey, they sought to identify and analyze these opportunities and barriers. Majority of the respondents were reported to have an "industrial backround", and more than half were from Western Europe. Among the highlights of the study results are: (1) import tariffs and the implementation of sustainability certification systems are perceived as (potentially) major barriers for the trade of bioethanol and biodiesel, (2) logistics are seen as the main obstacle in the trade of wood pellets, (3) development of technical standards was seen more as an opportunity rather than a barrier for all commodities, (4) high fossil fuel prices and climate change mitigation policies are seen as "most important drivers", (5) specific actions will be required by market parties and policy makers in order to overcome some of the barriers. The complete review is published in the journal, Energy Policy (URL above).