Rapeseed, colza or mustard oil and fractions market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian rapeseed oil market began the period with regulatory support for its use in biofuels and the entry of new specialized producers like ALVENAT. Despite this foundation, market volume contracted through 2020, influenced by oil price volatility affecting biodiesel demand and, in 2020, by global supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic which constrained international availability.

A significant shift occurred from 2021, when a heatwave in Canada reduced global rapeseed supply and the war in Ukraine created a sunflower oil shortage. This led many manufacturers to substitute with rapeseed oil, sharply increasing demand and market volume. This trend was sustained in 2022 amid variable European harvests, with strong consumption from both the food and biofuel sectors driving further growth.

Favorable growing conditions in the European Union supported better-than-expected harvests in 2023, boosting domestic supply. Concurrently, sustained high prices for vegetable oils and continued demand for locally sourced, high-quality products kept the market volume at a record level, closing the period with consistent expansion.

Production rapeseed, colza or mustard oil and fractions in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium ranked 10th globally in the production of rapeseed, colza, or mustard oil and fractions.

Top producers of rapeseed, colza or mustard oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed, colza or mustard oil and fractions, 2017-2020

After declining for two years, Belgium's production of rapeseed, colza, or mustard oil and fractions rebounded. In 2020, output reached 615 K t, marking a moderate increase of 5.2% compared to 2019. Over the full period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9.3%, averaging an annual decline of 3.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 585 K t, which also saw the largest drop of 10.4%.

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

Exports rapeseed, colza or mustard oil and fractions from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Belgium's exports of rapeseed, colza, or mustard oil and fractions grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 435.4 K t, a sharp rise of 29.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 25.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 305.3 K t, which also experienced the biggest decline of 12.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany were the top buyers of rapeseed, colza, or mustard oil and fractions from Belgium, accounting for 34.5%, 14.8%, and 14.4% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 63.7% of Belgium's total exports in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Belgium's exports of rapeseed, colza, or mustard oil and fractions in value terms rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value stood at 414.5 M $ US, reflecting a sharp increase of 36.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports grew by 24.2%, with an average annual rate of 7.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 291.0 M $ US, which also saw the largest decrease of 12.8%.

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

During 2017–2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany were the primary buyers of rapeseed, colza, or mustard oil and fractions from Belgium in value terms, with shares of 32.4%, 16.1%, and 13.8% of exports, respectively. Combined, these three markets represented 62.3% of Belgium's total export value in this sector.

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

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

Imports rapeseed, colza or mustard oil and fractions to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's imports of rapeseed, colza, or mustard oil and fractions increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 451.1 K t, up 7.5% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 44.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.0%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany dominated Belgium's imports of rapeseed, colza, or mustard oil and fractions in kind, collectively accounting for 87.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Belgium's imports of rapeseed, colza, or mustard oil and fractions in value terms grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value reached 430.9 M $ US, showing a robust increase of 20.8% year-over-year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports rose by 47.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany were the key sources for Belgium's imports of rapeseed, colza, or mustard oil and fractions in value terms, with shares of 41.8%, 25.1%, and 19.7%, respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 86.6% of total import value in this category.

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

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