Global biofuel production 2023, by select country

The United States was the leading biofuel producer in the world in 2023, with production amounting to 1,795 petajoules. Brazil and Indonesia ranked second and third, with figures at roughly 1,016 and 433 petajoules, respectively. By comparison, Germany's biofuel production reached around 160 petajoules that year, placing the country amongst the top five countries in biofuel production, and the leading producer in Europe. 

Biofuel production in the U.S.

Biofuels are characterized by fuels that obtain their energy through the process of biological carbon fixation. These hydrocarbons are made by or from living organisms in a relatively short period of time - in comparison to the formation of fossil fuels which requires millions of years. The United States is by far the largest producer of biofuel in the world, accounting for nearly 38 percent of global biofuel production in 2022. The country is a major producer of biodiesel, with that year's production amounting to 1.64 billion gallons. Global biofuel production has gradually increased from 180 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2000 to 1.9 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2022.

Biofuels are commonly used as part of mixtures with fossil fuel sources or as additives. One of the largest consumers of biofuels in the U.S. is the national army. Many vehicles can be fueled using blends containing up to 10 percent ethanol. In the beginning of the 20th century, many Ford T models were fueled with ethanol. Biofuels can also be generated through the consumption or conversion of biomass material. This conversion can occur thermally, chemically, or biochemically. Biomass consumption in the United States totaled 4,835 trillion British thermal units in 2021.