Cargill weighs tallow biodiesel in Brazil amid US tariffs
Soybean oil dominates, but tallow ranks third as feedstock
17 June 2026
1 minute read
By: Cargill is studying the feasibility of using beef tallow to produce biodiesel in Brazil after US tariffs made exports of the animal fat less attractive, Reuters reported, citing a company trader Tuesday.
Cargill does not currently use beef tallow as a biodiesel feedstock in Brazil, but has a project underway to assess its viability, said Paulo Cardoso, a trader for the company, speaking at an event in Sao Paulo.
One of three biodiesel plants Cargill acquired from Brazilian firm Granol in 2023 previously used tallow, indicating no operational barriers to the approach. Soybean oil is Brazil's main biodiesel feedstock, while beef tallow ranks third nationally.
US tariffs on Brazilian beef tallow currently stand at 10% but could rise, according to meat packers association Abrafrigo. Cardoso said US taxation had opened eyes to the need to find new markets for tallow, noting that Cargill's Brazil unit had previously been a major tallow exporter to the US.
