Colombia Used Cooking Oil Market Overview, 2031

Colombia Used Cooking Oil Market

• Colombia generates an estimated 180–240 thousand tons of Used Cooking Oil annually in 2025, primarily concentrated in urban centers such as Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, and Cartagena. Formal collection systems currently capture around 40–50 percent of recoverable UCO, with the remainder still flowing through informal channels or improper disposal routes. The country’s growing urban foodservice density is steadily improving feedstock availability for organized players.
• According to the research report, " Colombia Used Cooking Oil Market Outlook, 2031," published by Bonafide Research, the Colombia Used Cooking Oil market is anticipated to add to more than USD 20.21 Million by 2026–31. Colombia’s biodiesel industry is traditionally dominated by palm oil, supported by national blending mandates. However, increasing interest in feedstock diversification is creating new demand for waste-derived inputs. Producers such as Biodi, Ecodiesel Colombia, and BioD S.A. are gradually evaluating UCO as a complementary feedstock to improve sustainability performance and reduce exposure to agricultural price volatility.
• Ports such as Cartagena and Barranquilla are increasingly important for exporting processed UCO to international biofuel markets, particularly in Europe. This export linkage is helping Colombia integrate into global circular economy supply chains.

Recent Industry Developments

Biodiesel producers expanded feedstock diversification trials during 2025
Companies such as Ecodiesel Colombia initiated pilot programs incorporating UCO alongside palm oil to improve lifecycle emissions performance.
Municipal recycling initiatives strengthened in Bogotá and Medellín during 2024
Local governments and private recyclers expanded awareness campaigns targeting restaurants and households to improve formal UCO collection rates.
Export-oriented UCO shipments increased through Cartagena during 2025
Growing volumes of processed UCO were exported to international markets, particularly Europe, driven by higher demand for certified waste-based feedstocks.

Regulatory Landscape

• Colombia’s UCO market operates under national environmental regulations and biofuel blending mandates. The Ministry of Mines and Energy and environmental authorities oversee biodiesel policy frameworks that indirectly support alternative feedstock development.
• Waste management regulations encourage proper disposal of used cooking oil, particularly in urban municipalities where drainage system protection is a priority. However, enforcement levels vary across regions, leading to differences in collection efficiency.

Value Creation Hotspots Across the Supply Chain

• Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali provide the strongest collection economics, with route optimization improving operational efficiency by approximately 10–15 percent.
• Specialized waste operators play a key role in aggregating fragmented restaurant and household volumes, improving supply consistency for biodiesel producers.
• Facilities that reduce contamination levels and improve oil purity can achieve price premiums of approximately USD 60–110 per ton in export markets.
• Regulated biodiesel blending supports consistent consumption, although competition from palm oil remains structurally strong.
• Cartagena and Barranquilla serve as key export hubs, linking Colombian UCO supply chains with European and North American biofuel markets.

Import Dependency Analysis

• Colombia is largely self-sufficient in UCO generation but remains structurally dependent on domestic palm oil for biodiesel production. As a result, UCO currently plays a supplementary role rather than a primary feedstock.
• Domestic UCO supply is estimated to cover approximately 75–85 percent of local UCO utilization demand, with limited import reliance due to strong internal generation. However, increasing export activity is integrating Colombia more deeply into global waste-based biofuel supply chains.

Segment Analysis

By Source
Food Service represents approximately 55–60 percent of Colombia’s UCO generation, driven by urban restaurant growth and tourism activity. Food Processing contributes around 25–30 percent, supported by agro-industrial and packaged food production. Household sources account for approximately 10–12 percent, reflecting moderate informal cooking activity. Other institutional sources comprise the remaining share.
By Application
Biodiesel Production dominates with approximately 50–55 percent share, supported by national blending mandates. Renewable Diesel Production remains limited at around 10–12 percent, while Sustainable Aviation Fuel is in early-stage development at below 5 percent. Oleochemicals, soaps, detergents, and other applications collectively account for approximately 30–35 percent of utilization.
By Collection Method
Direct Commercial Collection accounts for approximately 45–50 percent of recovered volumes, primarily from restaurants and institutional kitchens. Third-Party Aggregators represent around 35–40 percent, reflecting the importance of private recyclers in supply chain consolidation. Municipal Collection Systems contribute approximately 8–10 percent, while Household Drop-off Programs remain limited at below 5 percent, indicating strong potential for future expansion.


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