Biofuel Producers Consume 30.7 Billion Pounds
U.S. biofuel feedstock use in August slipped 2% from July but rose nearly 6% from a year earlier, according to federal data.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Agriculture
U.S. biofuel producers consumed approximately 30.702 billion pounds of feedstock in August 2026, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Oct. 30. Feedstock consumption fell 2% from July and rose nearly 6% from August 2025.
Why it matters
The figures track demand for crops and fats used to make renewable fuels, a sector that draws heavily on corn and soybean oil. Shifts in feedstock use help show how biofuel production is moving across the country's agricultural inputs.
Biofuel producers consumed 1.4 billion pounds of soybean oil, 381 million pounds of canola oil and 373 million pounds of corn oil in August. Yellow grease use reached 607 million gallons and tallow use reached 511 million pounds, while more than 55% of soybean oil went to biodiesel.
The players
U.S. Energy Information Administration
The U.S. Energy Information Administration is the federal statistical agency that collects and publishes energy data, including monthly feedstock consumption figures for biofuel producers.
The details
Corn remained the dominant input, with biofuel producers consuming 26.8147 billion pounds in August, a nearly 1% rise from July. Consumption of grain sorghum, canola oil, corn oil, yellow grease and tallow was also reported, while soybean oil use was the second-largest category.
Timeline
August 2026: Biofuel producers consumed 30.702 billion pounds of feedstock.
Oct. 30, 2026: The U.S. Energy Information Administration released the feedstock consumption data.
Industry Dynamics
The EIA's monthly feedstock series is the standard federal measure of how much corn, soybean oil and fats biofuel producers absorb. August's 6% annual gain, despite a monthly dip, places this data within a longer record of growing renewable fuel demand for agricultural inputs.
Shifts in biofuel feedstock demand can influence the prices farmers receive for corn and soybeans and the cost of inputs used in food and fuel. Households may feel these changes indirectly through grocery and fuel prices over time.
The takeaway
Monthly feedstock data offers a useful gauge of how demand for crops and fats used in renewable fuel is changing. Tracking these figures helps readers see where agricultural markets may be heading.
Further reading
For more on how renewable fuel demand shapes farm inputs, explore Agriculture coverage.
