Which Plant Produces the Most Biofuel?

Corn (maize) currently produces the most biofuel worldwide by volume because it dominates global fuel ethanol output, especially in the United States. Measured by yield per hectare, however, sugarcane produces the most ethanol among major field crops; for biodiesel, oil palm delivers the highest oil yield per hectare. Looking ahead, microalgae can surpass all terrestrial crops in potential biofuel yield but are not yet deployed at large commercial scale.

Why the answer depends on how you measure “most”

“Most” can mean different things: the greatest total gallons produced globally, the highest energy or liters per hectare, or the most oil suitable for biodiesel. Biofuels also come in several forms—chiefly ethanol (from sugars and starches) and biodiesel/renewable diesel (from oils)—and each favors different plants and geographies.

By global production volume: corn (maize) leads

On a worldwide basis, the single largest source plant for biofuel is corn, used mainly to produce fuel ethanol. The United States, the world’s leading ethanol producer, relies predominantly on corn, and that scale keeps corn at the top by total gallons. Brazil is the second-largest ethanol producer using sugarcane, but global volumes from corn remain higher because of the size of the U.S. market and installed capacity.

By ethanol yield per hectare: sugarcane is the top field crop

Sugarcane achieves the highest ethanol yield per hectare among major commercial crops. Its C4 photosynthesis, high sugar content, and the use of bagasse (cane residue) for process energy combine to deliver superior liters per hectare and strong net energy returns. This is why Brazil’s cane-based ethanol is often cited as the most land-efficient large-scale ethanol pathway in commercial use.

By plant oil for biodiesel: oil palm tops per-hectare yield

For biodiesel or renewable diesel feedstock, oil palm produces more oil per hectare than other common oil crops, with yields several times higher than soy or rapeseed. However, its expansion has been linked to deforestation and biodiversity loss in some regions, making certification and no-deforestation supply chains critical to sustainability assessments.

What about algae?

Microalgae can, in principle, produce far more oil per hectare than terrestrial crops, and they can be cultivated on non-arable land using saline or wastewater. While pilot and demonstration facilities have shown high yields, costs and scale-up challenges mean algae are not yet a major commercial source of transportation biofuel. Research continues, particularly for aviation fuels.

Typical biofuel yields for key feedstocks

The following ranges summarize indicative, real-world annual yields per hectare under commercial conditions; actual results vary by climate, farming practices, and processing technology.

• Sugarcane (ethanol): about 5,000–8,000 liters/ha/year
• Corn/maize (ethanol): about 2,800–4,000 liters/ha/year
• Sugar beet (ethanol): about 5,000–7,000 liters/ha/year
• Cassava (ethanol): about 1,500–3,000 liters/ha/year
• Oil palm (biodiesel/renewable diesel): roughly 3,300–4,400 liters/ha/year (from crude palm oil, biodiesel-equivalent)
• Rapeseed/canola (biodiesel): roughly 1,000–1,500 liters/ha/year
• Soybean (biodiesel): roughly 400–700 liters/ha/year
• Microalgae (biodiesel/jet fuel): often 10,000–30,000+ liters/ha/year in pilots, with higher theoretical potential

These ranges illustrate why sugarcane is the standout for ethanol efficiency, why oil palm dominates oil yields, and why algae attract interest for future scaling. Local agronomy, varieties, and conversion efficiencies can shift outcomes substantially.

Factors that determine which plant is “best” for biofuel

Beyond raw yield, several considerations shape which feedstock makes the most sense in a given place or for a particular fuel.

1. Climate and agroecology: C4 crops like sugarcane thrive in warm, moist regions, while corn suits temperate zones.
2. Conversion pathway and efficiency: First-generation ethanol versus cellulosic routes; biodiesel versus hydroprocessed renewable diesel.
3. Co-products and energy balance: Bagasse-powered mills, distillers grains (DDGS), and glycerin affect economics and lifecycle emissions.
4. Land-use change and biodiversity: Avoiding deforestation and protecting high-carbon-stock lands are pivotal for true climate benefits.
5. Water and nutrient inputs: Yields depend on irrigation, rainfall, and fertilizer management, with implications for sustainability.
6. Policy and market access: Mandates, tax credits, and fuel standards (including aviation) influence which feedstocks scale.

Taken together, these factors mean the “top” biofuel plant can differ by region and by the sustainability criteria applied, even when headline yields look compelling.

Summary

If measured by global output today, corn (maize) produces the most biofuel, chiefly ethanol. If measured by ethanol per hectare, sugarcane is the most land-efficient major crop. For biodiesel, oil palm delivers the highest oil yield per hectare, though with significant sustainability caveats. Microalgae promise the highest potential yields overall, but commercial deployment at scale is still emerging. The best choice depends on local conditions, fuel type, and rigorous sustainability standards.

Which crop is known for biofuel?

Biofuel sources include a whole variety of plants such as corn, sugar cane, soybeans, sunflowers, maize as well as aquatic algae. The most common compounds used to make fuels are sugars, starch and vegetable oil.

What is the highest yielding biodiesel crop?

Table of biodiesel crop yields

Crop	kg oil/ha/yr	litres oil/ha
oil palm	5000	5950
Copaifera langsdorffii	3670	4000
Millettia pinnata	9000	5612
algae (open pond)	80000	95000

Who is the largest producer of biofuels?

1. United States – 6.056 Billion Liters. In 2023, the United States had the capability to produce 23 billion gallons of biofuels annually, showing a 6% increase from 2022. This capacity encompasses renewable diesel, biodiesel, ethanol, and other types of biofuels.

What is the best plant for biofuel?

Corn is the source material for 90 percent of the ethanol produced in the U.S., but any plant material — collectively called biomass — can be used to make ethanol: leaves, woodchips, wild grasses, even trees. Brazil, the world’s second-largest ethanol producer, makes its biofuel from sugarcane.