b'Fueling the Future of AviationGlobal seed oil trade is shaping the sustainable aviation fuel industry.SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL(SAF) productionThe European Union has also been a major producer and infrastructure has developed slower than antici- of sustainable aviation fuel and has relied heavily on pated. While global production is expected to tripleimports of seed oil crops from Russia, Ukraine, Trkiye, this year, generating upwards of 500 million gallons,Bulgaria and Argentina. Cheaper imports have crumbled availability and affordability have been constant obsta- domestic production putting EU farmers in a tight spot.cles for the fledgling industry as it works to supplyMeanwhile, six African countries have partnered even a small percentage of a very large demand. Howtogether to recruit small farm operations into a new individual countries and businesses work to overcomebiofuel co-op. The new agricultural endeavor specifically these obstacles will set a huge precedent for the flowintends to produce seed oil crops used in making SAF. of trade when it comes to biofuel feedstocks aroundAnd in Asia, Malaysia, China and Indonesia BY MICHELLE KLEIGER,the world. decreased their exports of seed oils making us wonder Seed World U.S.Market development relies heavily on govern- where they went and what they were used for.Editorial Boardment policy and substantial investment. Though many Member nations are using policy to propel growth, revenueHow Much SAF is Available?projections are speculative. Farmers, refineries and theIts a chicken or the egg situation. Will the crops be aviation industry are attempting to leverage limitedgrown and create a demand for larger scale facilities? data to positively impact their bottom lines, but its aOr will refineries need to be built before farmers invest challenge. in more seed oil crops? In theory, greater demand An uptick in sustainable fuel production was thefor SAF should cause seed oil crops to become more catalyst for an unusual situation in 2023 where the U.S.competitive and make room for emerging nations to imported more seed oil than ever before. The shift totake advantage of an increased demand for seeds. The importer led to speculation that perhaps biofuel wouldflow of trade could expand between nations.finally become a financially profitable endeavor world- On the other hand, countries are caught between wide, not just an environmental consideration. decreasing carbon emissions by using oil seed crop byproducts without creating new emissions by trans-Who is Growing Seed Oil Crops? porting feedstocks across the world. Current dynamics If we examine SAF production by country, we see thecould just as easily suggest that individual countries will U.S. and Brazil as front-runners. The United Stateslook to strengthen domestic production of both crops produces a large amount of biofuel crops and hasand fuel for the sake of reducing emissions across Canadian neighbors who traditionally produce seed oilsupply chains. If that happens supply flow could actu-crops making the flow of these commodities logisti- ally reverse and wed see SAF production facilities in all cally more feasible from farm to refinery in Northregions of the world supplied by locally grown oil seed America. crops.At the same time South America emerged as aSupply at this point is speculative. Like fossil fuels, major hub for seed oil crops. The sheer diversity ofit appears to be a projected guess at how much could options ranging from sunflower seeds in Argentina,be produced with current crops rather than how much to Chilis rapeseed, to Columbias palm trees, and ofis available right now. Even with production expected course, Brazils soybean crops presents the SAF indus- to triple, 500 million gallons represents just .5% of the try with a lot of fuel source options.global need according to emissions goals.SW78/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2024'