There are essentially two types of liquid biofuels: alcohols (ethanol and butanol) and diesel substitutes (such as biodiesel and hydro-treated vegetable oils). Figure 1 highlights the evolution of ethanol and biodiesel production around the world.

The production of these biofuels has intensified since 2000. Ethanol is more representative when one considers the produced volume. In 2012, the volume of ethanol produced was approximately four times larger than the production of biodiesel.

Table 1 shows the total production of ethanol and biodiesel both in the world and in ten leading countries. Dividing the production by countries, note the

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1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 199? 1992 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

■ Biodiesel ■ Ethanol

Fig. 1 The world’s production of Liquid biofuel (in millions of gallons). Source Compiled by the Earth Policy Institute from Licht ( 24 April 2012)

representativeness of the USA, which leads the production of ethanol and biodiesel. Indeed, Brazil and the USA accounted for more than 87 % of the worldwide produc­tion of ethanol in 2011. In addition, even though the world’s biodiesel production is less concentrated than is the case with ethanol, Brazil and the USA are among the largest producers.

Regarding the global market for ethanol, biodiesel, and biofuels, data about the consumption, production, imports, and exports in 2013 and projected numbers for 2020 in leading countries are presented below.