Argentina Used Cooking Oil Market Overview, 2031

Argentina Used Cooking Oil Market

• Argentina generates an estimated 160–220 thousand tons of Used Cooking Oil annually in 2025, primarily concentrated in metropolitan areas such as Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Rosario, Mendoza, and La Plata. Formal collection systems currently capture only 35–45 percent of recoverable volumes, while the rest is lost through informal reuse or inadequate disposal practices, particularly in smaller food establishments.
• According to the research report, " Argentina Used Cooking Oil Market Outlook, 2031," published by Bonafide Research, the Argentina Used Cooking Oil market is anticipated to grow at more than 7.70% CAGR from 2026 to 2031. Argentina is one of the world’s leading biodiesel exporters, heavily reliant on soybean oil. However, increasing pressure from international buyers for lower-carbon fuel pathways is encouraging producers such as Aceitera General Deheza (AGD), Louis Dreyfus Company Argentina, and Vicentin (subject to restructuring cycles) to explore supplementary feedstocks like UCO to improve emissions intensity.
• Industrial clusters along the Rosario–Santa Fe corridor play a central role in Argentina’s biodiesel exports. This infrastructure advantage provides a natural pathway for integrating certified UCO into international renewable fuel supply chains, particularly for European markets.

Recent Industry Developments

Biodiesel exporters initiated feedstock diversification pilots during 2025
Several Argentine producers began testing UCO blending alongside soybean oil to meet stricter international emissions criteria.
Municipal recycling initiatives expanded in Buenos Aires during 2024
Local authorities increased collaboration with private waste firms to improve restaurant-based UCO collection and reduce improper drainage disposal.
Export logistics through Rosario strengthened UCO handling capabilities during 2025
Improved storage and aggregation infrastructure supported higher volumes of certified waste oil shipments targeting European biofuel markets.

Regulatory Landscape

• Argentina’s UCO market is governed by national waste management regulations and biodiesel blending policies administered by the Ministry of Energy and national environmental authorities. While UCO is not a mandated biodiesel feedstock, sustainability pressures from export markets are increasingly influencing domestic production practices.
• Environmental regulations at municipal levels encourage proper disposal of cooking oils, particularly in urban areas where sewer system maintenance is a concern. However, enforcement remains inconsistent across provinces.

Value Creation Hotspots Across the Supply Chain

• Buenos Aires and Córdoba offer the highest collection efficiency potential, improving operational economics by approximately 10–15 percent through route optimization and dense foodservice networks.
• Fragmented supply chains are increasingly being organized by cooperatives and private recyclers, improving feedstock reliability for biodiesel processors.
• Facilities that improve filtration and reduce contamination levels can achieve premiums of approximately USD 70–120 per ton in export-oriented markets.
• Argentina’s biodiesel export industry ensures stable baseline demand, although feedstock competition from soybean oil remains strong.
• The Rosario–Paraná industrial corridor serves as a key export gateway linking Argentine UCO-derived products to European and global renewable fuel markets.

Import Dependency Analysis

• Argentina is largely self-sufficient in waste oil generation and has minimal dependence on imported UCO. However, its biodiesel industry is heavily dependent on domestic soybean oil, which dominates feedstock usage.
• Domestic UCO currently meets approximately 80–90 percent of internal UCO utilization demand, but its role remains secondary within the broader biodiesel ecosystem. Export-driven demand may increase the strategic importance of UCO over time as international buyers prioritize lower-carbon feedstocks.

Segment Analysis

By Source
Food Service accounts for approximately 60–65 percent of Argentina’s UCO generation, driven by urban restaurant activity and catering services. Food Processing contributes around 20–25 percent, while Household sources represent approximately 10–12 percent, reflecting moderate informal cooking practices. Other institutional sources account for the remaining share.
By Application
Biodiesel Production dominates with approximately 55–60 percent share, supported by Argentina’s strong export-oriented biodiesel industry. Renewable Diesel Production remains limited at around 10–12 percent, while Sustainable Aviation Fuel is in early development at below 5 percent. Oleochemicals, soaps, detergents, and other applications collectively account for approximately 25–30 percent of utilization.
By Collection Method
Direct Commercial Collection represents approximately 45–50 percent of total recovered volumes, primarily from restaurants and institutional kitchens. Third-Party Aggregators and cooperatives account for around 35–40 percent, reflecting the importance of consolidation in fragmented markets. Municipal Collection Systems contribute approximately 8–10 percent, while Household Drop-off Programs remain limited at below 5 percent, indicating significant long-term growth potential.


Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2020
• Base year: 2025
• Estimated year: 2026
• Forecast year: 2031

Aspects covered in this report
• Mixed Used Cooking Oil Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Source
• Food Service
• Food Processing
• Household
• Others

By Application
• Biodiesel Production
• Renewable Diesel Production
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel
• Oleochemicals
• Soaps & Detergents
• Others

By Collection Method
• Direct Commercial Collection
• Third-Party Waste Aggregators
• Municipal Collection Systems
• Household Drop-off / Recycling Programs
• Others