📊 UN Comtrade Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) - Animal Oil Indicator
The Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) is a product classification system used by the United Nations (UN) to compile and disseminate external trade statistics (exports and imports of goods). It allows for international comparisons of commodities and manufactured goods.
The category that serves as the primary Animal Oil Indicator within the SITC framework is Section 4: Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes, with specific focus on the division dedicated solely to animal products.
SITC Structure for Animal Oils and Fats
In all major revisions (Rev. 3 and Rev. 4), the classification of crude animal oils and fats falls under Division 41. Broader categories include both animal and vegetable oils, and processed mixtures.
The key SITC codes related to animal oils and fats are typically organized as follows (using SITC, Revision 4, as the standard):
| SITC Code | Level | Description |
| 4 | Section | Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes |
| 41 | Division | Animal oils and fats |
| 411 | Group | Animal oils and fats |
| 411.1 | Subgroup | Fats and oils of fish and marine mammals, crude, refined or fractionated |
| 411.11 | Basic Heading | Fats and oils of fish, crude, refined or fractionated, but not chemically modified |
| 411.12 | Basic Heading | Fats and oils of marine mammals, crude, refined or fractionated, but not chemically modified |
| 411.2 | Subgroup | Animal fats, oils and greases, crude, refined or fractionated, n.e.s. |
| 411.21 | Basic Heading | Lard and other pig fat, rendered; unrendered pig fat, free of lean meat, and poultry fat, not rendered or rendered |
| 411.22 | Basic Heading | Fats of bovine animals, sheep or goats, crude, refined or fractionated, but not chemically modified |
| 411.29 | Basic Heading | Other animal fats, oils and greases, crude, refined or fractionated, n.e.s. |
| 43 | Division | Animal or vegetable fats and oils, processed; waxes of animal or vegetable origin; inedible mixtures or preparations of animal or vegetable fats or oils, n.e.s. |
| 431 | Group | Animal or vegetable fats and oils, processed; waxes; inedible mixtures or preparations of animal or vegetable fats or oils, n.e.s. |
| 431.1 | Subgroup | Processed animal or vegetable fats and oils and their fractions, n.e.s. |
| 431.2 | Subgroup | Waxes of animal or vegetable origin |
| 431.3 | Subgroup | Inedible mixtures or preparations of animal or vegetable fats or oils, n.e.s. |
Note: The key indicator for Crude Animal Oil and Fats is primarily found within Division 41 and its detailed headings. The term n.e.s. stands for "not elsewhere specified."
Understanding the SITC Indicator
The SITC is a hierarchical classification system, where the number of digits indicates the level of detail:
1-digit (Section 4): Broadest category, encompassing all animal and vegetable oils/fats/waxes.
2-digits (Division 41): Specifies the category to Animal oils and fats, excluding vegetable sources. This is the core indicator for the primary commodity.
3-digits (Group 411): Narrows the scope to "Animal oils and fats" (the same as the Division at this level).
4/5-digits (Subgroup/Basic Heading): Provides the most granular detail, distinguishing between fish/marine mammal oils and other animal fats (e.g., lard, tallow).
The data for these codes are used by UN Comtrade to analyze and report global trade in these commodities, providing insights into production materials, processing stage, and market usage.
.jpg "Leading Global Suppliers of Animal Oils and Fats (UN Comtrade SITC 411 Indicator)")
🌍 Leading Global Suppliers of Animal Oils and Fats (UN Comtrade SITC 411 Indicator)
The UN Comtrade database tracks global trade flows. For the category of Animal oils and fats (SITC Rev. 4 Code: 411), export data serves as the most reliable indicator of a country's market dominance and, consequently, its substantial production and supply capacity. The countries listed below are recognized as the top global suppliers based on recent trade volumes and values associated with this commodity group.
| Rank | Country (Exporter/Market Dominator) | Trade Flow Indicator (HS Code Proxy) | Value / Volume Indicator | Year |
| 1 | United States | High Volume Exporter (General Animal Fats/Oils) | Leading Exporter (by total shipment count and value) | 2024 (Shipment data) |
| 2 | Netherlands | Major Global Hub (HS 1506: Other Animal Fats & Oils) | Largest Global Importer (Value: $297.9M) | 2023 |
| 3 | Brazil | Emerging Exporter (Poultry & Fish Oils/Fats) | Significant Exporter (Growing volume) | 2023 |
| 4 | Germany | Key European Supplier (HS 1506: Other Animal Fats & Oils) | Top Exporter/Re-exporter in Europe | 2023 |
| 5 | Ukraine | High Volume Exporter (General Animal Fats/Oils) | Significant Exporter (High shipment count) | 2024 (Shipment data) |
Note: Since UN Comtrade is a trade database, countries like the Netherlands often appear high due to their extensive roles in re-exportation and processing, reflecting market dominance rather than solely domestic production.
💡 Conclusion
The global market for Animal Oils and Fats (SITC 411) is characterized by the strong presence of major agricultural and livestock-producing nations like the United States and Brazil, which dominate the supply side through high export volumes. Simultaneously, highly developed trade and logistics hubs, notably the Netherlands and Germany, play critical roles in processing, refining, and distributing these commodities across continents. Therefore, the United States consistently ranks as the leading country when using export volume as the primary indicator for substantial production and market influence in animal oils and fats.
.jpg "Global Consumption of Animal Oils and Fats (SITC 411 Indicator)")
🍽️ Global Consumption of Animal Oils and Fats (SITC 411 Indicator)
The UN Comtrade database specializes in recording international trade (imports and exports), not domestic consumption. However, consumption is a critical measure of a commodity's market demand. To estimate consumption, economists often use the Apparent Consumption formula:
While UN Comtrade provides the import/export components for Animal oils and fats (SITC Rev. 4 Code: 411), the production data must be sourced elsewhere. Market research and agricultural bodies (like the FAO or USDA) frequently publish aggregated consumption figures.
Based on recent market analyses that calculate total consumption (using the formula above or direct figures), the countries with the highest total volume of consumption—driven by large populations and significant industrial use (food processing, animal feed, biodiesel)—are listed below.
| Rank | Country | Consumption Indicator | Volume/Value | Year |
| 1 | China | Leading Consumer (Total Volume) | $\approx$ 2,940 Thousand Metric Tons (2021) | 2021 |
| 2 | United States | High Volume Consumer (Total Volume) | Significant Tonnage (Food & Industrial Use) | 2023 |
| 3 | European Union (Aggregated) | Major Industrial/Food Processing Consumer | High Total Demand (Especially for Biodiesel) | Ongoing |
| 4 | Germany | Leading European Consumer (Tallow/Butter) | High Tonnage (Food Service/Industrial) | 2023 |
| 5 | India | High Volume Consumer (Lard/Tallow/Ghee) | Rapidly Growing Demand | 2023 |
📝 Key Consumption Metrics
It is essential to distinguish between Total Consumption and Per Capita Consumption:
Total Consumption: Dominated by countries with large populations and massive industrial sectors that use animal fats in food processing, animal feed, and the booming biodiesel industry (e.g., China, USA, India).
Per Capita Consumption: Often dominated by smaller, high-income countries with traditional diets or strong internal processing capabilities. For instance, countries like Belgium, Austria, and Hungary frequently top the lists for animal fat consumption per person due to historical dietary preferences.
💡 Conclusion
The country with the highest total consumption volume of Animal Oils and Fats (SITC 411) is consistently reported to be China. This dominance is fueled by a massive population, a growing middle class shifting dietary patterns, and large-scale industrial use in its processed food and animal feed sectors. While other countries in the EU (like the Netherlands/Germany) are significant importers and users for sophisticated industrial applications (including biodiesel production), and the US remains a major consumer, China's sheer volume of domestic demand places it at the top of the consumption ranking.
.jpg "Regional Trade Landscape for Animal Oils and Fats (SITC 411 Indicator)")
🗺️ Regional Trade Landscape for Animal Oils and Fats (SITC 411 Indicator)
The trade landscape for Animal oils and fats (SITC Rev. 4 Code: 411) is characterized by a strong flow from regions with major livestock production and processing capabilities to densely populated, industrialized, and fast-growing economies. The data, often aggregated under the broader SITC Division 4 ("Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes") or corresponding HS codes, reveals distinct regional patterns in global exports and imports.
📈 Major Exporting and Importing Regions
The table below summarizes the key regional players in the global trade of fats and oils, highlighting their general role in the market.
| Market Role | Region/Economic Bloc | Key Exporting Countries (Production Base) | Key Importing Countries (Consumption Base) | Primary Driver of Trade Flow |
| Net Exporter (Supply) | The Americas (North & South) | United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina | N/A | High-volume livestock farming and advanced processing industry. |
| Major Trading Hub (Processor) | Europe (EU) | Netherlands, Germany, Spain, France | Netherlands, France, Italy, Germany | Extensive infrastructure for refining, processing, and re-export; major market for biodiesel. |
| Net Importer (Demand) | Asia (East, South, Southeast) | China, India, Japan, South Korea | N/A | Massive population, growing food and feed industries, and feedstock for chemical production. |
🌐 Key Regional Dynamics
1. The Americas (The Export Powerhouse)
The Americas, particularly the US, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina, form the dominant net exporting region for animal oils and fats (and the broader fats/oils category).
United States and Canada: Strong domestic livestock and rendering industries ensure a consistent supply of tallows, lard, and fish oils for international markets.
Brazil and Argentina: Global agricultural powerhouses that also export significant volumes of processed animal by-products derived from their massive meat production sectors.
2. Europe (The Processing and Demand Hub)
Europe, represented largely by the European Union (EU), plays a dual role but is a massive consumer and processor.
Import Focus: The EU imports large volumes of animal and vegetable fats for both food consumption and, critically, as feedstock for biodiesel production.
Trading Hubs: Countries like the Netherlands act as major logistics and refining hubs, importing raw materials and re-exporting processed fractions to other parts of Europe and the world.
3. Asia (The Dominant Demand Sink)
Asia is the world's most significant net importing region for fats and oils, driven by a convergence of demand factors.
China and India: These countries represent two of the largest and fastest-growing markets. Demand is driven by their vast populations, rapidly expanding animal feed industries (requiring processed fats), and significant needs in the chemical and industrial sectors.
Japan and South Korea: These industrialized nations are also major importers, relying on global supply chains for their domestic food and industrial processing needs.
💡 Conclusion
The global trade landscape for Animal Oils and Fats (SITC 411) is defined by a major flow of commodities from the supply-rich Western Hemisphere (The Americas) to the demand-heavy Eastern Hemisphere (Asia), with the European Union serving as a critical processing, refining, and major consumption market, largely due to its strong industrial and biofuel sectors. Asia's rapidly growing demand for food and animal feed ingredients makes it the primary driver of global import volumes.
.jpg "Key Factors Shaping the Global Landscape of Animal Oils and Fats (SITC 411)")
⚙️ Key Factors Shaping the Global Landscape of Animal Oils and Fats (SITC 411)
The global trade and market dynamics of Animal oils and fats (SITC Rev. 4 Code: 411) are not determined solely by food demand. The landscape is profoundly influenced by external policy, energy requirements, and the massive scale of the global meat industry. These factors create both stability (through byproduct supply) and volatility (through competition for feedstock).
The key factors affecting the international trade of animal oils (like tallow, lard, and fish oil) can be grouped into supply-side, demand-side, and external/regulatory forces.
| Category | Key Factor | Impact on SITC 411 Trade Landscape | Primary Direction of Influence |
| Demand-Side | Biofuel/Renewable Diesel Mandates | Creates massive, non-food demand that competes directly with traditional users (animal feed, oleochemicals). Drives up prices and trade volume. | ↑ Demand & Price Volatility |
| Supply-Side | Global Livestock Production | Animal fats are byproducts of the meat industry (beef, pork, poultry). Production volume is directly tied to meat consumption and slaughter rates. | ↑ Supply & Geographic Concentration |
| Demand-Side | Growth of the Asian Feed Industry | Rapid expansion of livestock and aquaculture in Asia (especially China and India) creates huge demand for fats as an energy source in animal feed. | ↑ Import Volume (Asia) |
| External | Price Competition with Vegetable Oils | Animal fats are substitutable with cheaper vegetable oils (like palm or soy oil). The price ratio dictates which fats industrial users and processors choose. | ↔ Price & Market Share |
| External | Environmental/Health Regulations | Regulations regarding animal rendering, waste disposal, and saturated fat content can restrict supply chains or drive demand for specific, healthier fats (e.g., fish oils). | Restrictive/Shifts Demand |
🔍 Detailed Analysis of Key Factors
1. Biofuel and Renewable Diesel Policy (The Game Changer)
This is arguably the single most disruptive factor in the contemporary animal fat trade. Government mandates and tax incentives in regions like the United States and the European Union (EU) to meet renewable energy targets have created enormous, price-insensitive demand for animal fats (particularly tallow and yellow grease) as feedstock for biodiesel and renewable diesel.
Impact: This new demand stream has fundamentally changed the pricing structure of animal fats, separating them from traditional vegetable oil pricing and linking them more closely to energy prices. It has also turned major net exporters of meat/fats (like the US) into net importers of all types of oils and fats to meet refinery needs.
2. Global Livestock Production (The Supply Anchor)
The supply of animal fats is intrinsically linked to the output of the global meat industry. Lard comes from hogs, tallow from cattle, and poultry fat from chickens.
Impact: Since fats are byproducts, their supply is relatively inelastic to their own price. A rise in the demand for beef (driven by factors unrelated to fat) will increase tallow supply, which then affects the trade price of the fat. Any major outbreak of animal disease (e.g., African Swine Fever, Avian Flu) can suddenly and severely restrict supply, causing price spikes globally.
3. Competition with Vegetable Oils (The Market Ceiling)
Animal fats are not unique; they can be substituted in many industrial and animal feed applications by cheaper, readily available vegetable oils (primarily palm, soybean, and rapeseed oil).
Impact: When the price of animal fats rises due to high biofuel demand, industrial users and feed producers quickly switch to vegetable oils, creating a market ceiling for animal fat prices. This cross-commodity competition is a constant source of market volatility.
💡 Conclusion
The global landscape for Animal Oils and Fats (SITC 411) is shaped by a powerful intersection of agricultural output (livestock production), industrial policy (biofuel mandates), and consumer demand (food and feed). The primary driver of trade volume and price volatility is the non-food demand from the rapidly expanding biofuel sector, which effectively bids the commodity away from traditional uses. Consequently, the future trade pattern of animal oils will be heavily influenced by shifts in renewable energy policies in major economic blocs like the US and EU, rather than food consumption trends alone.
.jpg "Leading Global Producers and Suppliers of Animal Oils and Fats (SITC 411)")
🏭 Leading Global Producers and Suppliers of Animal Oils and Fats (SITC 411)
The UN Comtrade database tracks international trade, making it unsuitable for identifying domestic production companies directly. However, the production of Animal oils and fats (SITC Rev. 4 Code: 411) is dominated by the rendering industry, which processes animal by-products (tallow, lard, poultry fat) from the global meat sector.
Consequently, the leading production companies are either the major global meat processors that operate their own rendering divisions, or specialized, large-scale independent rendering and ingredient companies. These entities control the volume and quality of animal fats that enter the global trade landscape.
🏆 Top Companies in the Global Rendered Products Market
The table below highlights the key global players in the animal rendering industry, which are the primary producers and large-scale suppliers of animal oils and fats (SITC 411).
| Rank | Company Name | Headquarters Country | Primary Role / Segment | Global Footprint Indicator |
| 1 | Darling Ingredients Inc. | United States 🇺🇸 | Specialized Rendering & Renewable Fuels | 15% global market share, 260+ facilities across 5 continents. |
| 2 | JBS S.A. | Brazil 🇧🇷 | Global Meat Processor (with rendering divisions) | World's largest meat company, extensive operations across the Americas and Australia. |
| 3 | Tyson Foods Inc. | United States 🇺🇸 | Major Meat Processor (with rendering divisions) | Leading producer of beef, pork, and chicken; significant volume of by-products. |
| 4 | SARIA Group (SARIA SE & Co. KG) | Germany 🇩🇪 | Specialized Rendering & Sustainability | Operations in nearly 26 countries, strong presence in Europe. |
| 5 | Cargill, Incorporated | United States 🇺🇸 | Diversified Agribusiness & Food Ingredient Solutions | Vast global supply chain, major player in trading and distribution of fats and oils. |
🔑 Key Characteristics of the Leading Producers
The companies that lead the production and supply of animal oils and fats share a few key traits:
Vertical Integration: Major meat processors like JBS and Tyson Foods have a strong advantage. They directly control the raw material (animal by-products) from their slaughterhouses, which guarantees a massive, consistent, and cost-effective supply of crude animal fats.
Specialization and Scale: Companies like Darling Ingredients and SARIA Group are specialized rendering firms. They focus exclusively on collecting, processing, and adding value to these by-products, converting them into refined fats and oils for the food, feed, and now, the biofuel markets. Darling Ingredients, in particular, is a market leader in the renewable diesel sector, driving enormous demand for tallow and yellow grease.
Global Reach: Due to the nature of the commodity (moving fats from major livestock producing regions like the Americas to large demand centers in Asia and Europe), market leaders require vast logistical networks and processing facilities across multiple continents.
💡 Conclusion
The production landscape for Animal Oils and Fats (SITC 411) is highly concentrated and dominated by a few integrated meat giants and specialized global rendering companies. The largest player in terms of specialized market share and influence over the global trade of finished animal fats is Darling Ingredients Inc., whose strategic focus on converting animal fats into renewable diesel has fundamentally reshaped global demand and pricing for these commodities. The production volumes of all these companies, however, are ultimately determined by the overall health and scale of the global livestock industry.
.jpg "Data Sources and Organizations for Animal Oil Trade (SITC 411)")
📚 Data Sources and Organizations for Animal Oil Trade (SITC 411)
The trade statistics for Animal oils and fats (SITC Rev. 4 Code: 411) are primarily rooted in national customs records. These records are then consolidated, harmonized, and published by major international organizations, providing the structured, comparable data necessary for global analysis.
The definitive source for this classification is the United Nations, but the data collection process involves multiple stages and agencies.
🏛️ Key Data Sources and Their Role
The data on Animal Oil trade originates from national agencies and is compiled by global bodies.
| Data Stage | Primary Data Source / Classification | Key Input for SITC 411 Trade Data | Data Aggregator/Publisher |
| National Collection | Customs Declarations | Export/Import Declarations (PEB/PIB) filed by traders. | National Statistical Offices (e.g., BPS, Census Bureau) |
| Initial Reporting | Harmonized System (HS) | Detailed 6-digit to 10-digit codes for Animal Oils (e.g., HS 1506 for Other Animal Fats). | National Statistical Offices of UN member countries. |
| Global Aggregation | Standard International Trade Classification (SITC 4) | Conversion of detailed HS data into the aggregated 3-digit SITC 411 category for analysis. | UN Comtrade / UN Statistics Division (UNSD) |
| Dissemination/Analysis | World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) | Provides analytical tools and access to the consolidated UN Comtrade database. | World Bank (in partnership with UNCTAD and others) |
👥 Organizations Involved in the Data Supply Chain
The accuracy and comparability of the SITC 411 data rely on a chain of organizations, each with a specific mandate:
1. The Core Authority: United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD)
Role: The ultimate custodian and publisher of the UN Comtrade database. UNSD sets the global standards for trade classification, including the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) and manages the conversion of national data reported under the Harmonized System (HS) into the analytical SITC framework.
Data Process: UNSD receives official foreign trade statistics from reporting countries, validates, processes (including quantity and weight estimation), and publishes the data in the UN Comtrade platform.
2. The Reporting Entities: National Statistical Offices (NSOs)
Role: The original collectors of the raw trade data. Every UN member state is responsible for collecting data on its imports and exports of commodities, including Animal Oils.
Data Process: NSOs gather data from customs forms, classify it using their national version of the Harmonized System (HS), and report the aggregated trade figures (value and quantity) to the UNSD.
3. Partner Organizations for Compilation and Analysis
While not primary data collectors for Comtrade, other international bodies are crucial for integrating and utilizing the trade data:
World Bank / World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS): WITS is a tool that provides integrated access to the UN Comtrade database, allowing users to apply sophisticated analytical models to the SITC 411 data.
UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD): Uses Comtrade data in its analyses and often contributes to the maintenance of related databases, such as TRAINS (Trade Analysis and Information System), which also allows HS data conversion into SITC.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): While primarily focused on production and consumption of agricultural products, FAO often uses Comtrade data to supplement its analysis of international market balances for animal fats and oils.
💡 Conclusion
The trade data for Animal Oils and Fats (SITC 411) follows a rigorous path: it starts with customs declarations compiled by National Statistical Offices using the Harmonized System (HS), and is then centralized, standardized, and published by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) in its UN Comtrade database. This multi-stage system ensures that the global community has access to comparable and reliable statistics to monitor the international market for animal oils.
