Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Western Europe increased steadily. In 2018, the European Commission forecast growth supported by new production capacities and rising demand, leading to a 2.2% rise to 36.6 thousand tons. The following year saw stable output despite climatic challenges and price volatility, while market volume surged by 41.9% to 81.6 thousand tons as exports fell sharply. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains, but robust demand for vegetable oils in biofuels and food maintained production, which grew 19.7% to 43.8 thousand tons.

The market dynamics shifted in 2021 when Russia introduced export quotas and bans on sunflower oil and seeds, creating shortages and pushing prices to record highs. This prompted European farmers to expand sown areas for rapeseed and sunflower, raising production by 10.3% to 48.3 thousand tons. The war in Ukraine in 2022 further disrupted trade, forcing Europe to seek alternative oilseed sources. Sown areas in the EU grew 5.5%, and production increased 12.6% to 54.4 thousand tons, although high prices slightly reduced market volume to 98.6 thousand tons.

In 2023, production fell 12.3% to 47.7 thousand tons, likely due to climatic conditions affecting soybean yields, while prices stabilized after previous spikes. Market volume, however, grew 11.0% to 109.4 thousand tons, reflecting sustained domestic demand.

Production oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, 2017-2020

Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits production in Western Europe has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 43.8 thousand tons, marking a 19.6% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 11.2%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 3.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 35.8 thousand tons, with the sharpest drop of 27.3% occurring that same year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Western Europe's oil seeds and oleaginous fruits production has grown in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 254.0 million US dollars, representing a 12.6% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, however, production value fell by 22.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.1%. The lowest value was seen in 2018 at 195.8 million US dollars, when the most significant decline of 40.2% took place. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 15.2%.

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

Exports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits exports from Western Europe reached 63.0 thousand tons in 2020, showing a substantial 17.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 13.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 53.9 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 72.9 thousand tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 26.1% drop, whereas 2018 saw the largest increase of 31.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in kind was quite diversified. Poland accounted for 7.8% of exports, the United Kingdom for 6.3%, and Italy for 3.9%. Together, these three countries represented just 18.0% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits exports from Western Europe have increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 236.6 million US dollars, which is 13.2% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 31.6%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 9.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the value-based export structure for oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from Western Europe showed limited concentration. The United Kingdom held a 5.2% share, Poland 5.1%, and Italy 5.1%. Combined, these three countries captured only 15.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits imports into Western Europe have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region imported 94.6 thousand tons, which is 7.2% more than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 3.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 94.6 thousand tons, when the largest decline of 7.8% occurred.

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

During 2017-2020, imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in kind to Western Europe were spread across numerous markets. China accounted for 19.0% of imports, Czechia for 7.3%, and Hungary for 7.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 33.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, foreign supplies of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to Western Europe amounted to 328.8 million US dollars, marking a modest 8.3% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 10.0%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.2%. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.9%.

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

The partner structure for imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 remained fragmented. China held a 19.5% share, Czechia 7.7%, and Hungary 5.6%. Combined, these three countries accounted for just 32.8% of total flows, with no single country achieving a dominant position.

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

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