Cottonseed oil-cake market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, European cottonseed oil-cake production rose from 169.6 thousand tons to 212.4 thousand tons, while market size fluctuated due to trade flows. In 2018, a weaker euro against the dollar impacted rapeseed oil prices and broader oilseed meal markets, and increased global soybean production influenced the availability of substitute protein meals. Exports surged to 90.7 thousand tons in 2020, reducing domestic market volume despite higher output.

Between 2021 and 2022, market size reached 161.9 thousand tons in 2021 as speculation on cottonseed raw material affected supply chains, prompting higher imports. Technological innovations in solvent extraction and filtration improved cottonseed meal valorization, and growing demand for protein-rich animal feed supported market volume. European quality regulations on oil residue content in meals further shaped industrial processes during this period of stabilized production.

In 2023, production fell sharply to 161.0 thousand tons and market size dropped to 103.7 thousand tons, driven by continued speculation on cottonseed that constrained raw material access for crushers. The industry simultaneously experienced concentration of production capacities and a shift in consumer preferences towards sustainable, traceable products, which influenced processing investments and product standards.

Production cottonseed oil-cake in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cottonseed oil-cake, 2017-2020

World map of production of cottonseed oil-cake, 2017-2020

Europe's cottonseed oil-cake production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2019, production stood at 195.0 K t, rising to 212.4 K t in 2020, an increase of 8.9%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 30.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, Europe's cottonseed oil-cake production value rebounded. In 2019, output was valued at 35 290 K $ US, climbing to 47 624 K $ US in 2020, a significant increase of 34.9%. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 19.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 35 290 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 11.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports cottonseed oil-cake from Europe

Exports in kind, t

Europe's cottonseed oil-cake exports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports were 59 800 t, surging to 90 674 t in 2020, a sharp rise of 51.7%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 119.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 30.0%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 39 394 t, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 51.7% jump.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Lebanon, Egypt, and Syria dominated Europe's cottonseed oil-cake exports in kind. Lebanon accounted for 59.3% of exports, Egypt for 11.4%, and Syria for 7.7%, together making up 78.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Europe in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Europe's cottonseed oil-cake export value showed notable fluctuations during this period. In 2018, exports hit a low of 9 217 K $ US, rising to 20 328 K $ US in 2020, an 88.0% increase from 2019. The difference between the high in 2020 and the low in 2018 was a factor of 2.2. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Europe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Lebanon, Egypt, and Syria were the top destinations for Europe's cottonseed oil-cake exports in value terms. Lebanon represented 55.5% of exports, Egypt 10.7%, and Syria 7.1%, collectively accounting for 73.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Europe in value, 2017-2020

Imports cottonseed oil-cake to Europe

Imports in kind, t

Europe's cottonseed oil-cake imports in kind were volatile during these years. In 2018, imports reached a low of 7 873 t, increasing to 15 726 t in 2020, a modest rise of 6.1% from 2019. The difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018 was 2.1-fold. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 52.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019 with an 88.2% surge.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Benin were the leading sources for Europe's cottonseed oil-cake imports in kind. The United States accounted for 13.3% of total flows, and Benin for 4.2%.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Europe in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Europe's cottonseed oil-cake import value has risen for the second year in a row. In 2019, imports were 5 985 K $ US, growing to 6 410 K $ US in 2020, an advance of 7.1%. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 2.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 4 327 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 30.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 38.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Europe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017–2020, the United States, Benin, and India were consistently the main sources for Europe's cottonseed oil-cake imports in value terms. The United States made up 41.6% of imports, Benin 2.1%, and India 1.6%, together representing 45.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Europe in value, 2017-2020