Rapeseed market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian rapeseed market opened the period at 1 885 thousand tonnes in 2018, supported by substantial import volumes. That year saw the launch of the Oleo100 biofuel in France, made entirely from rapeseed, which created new industrial demand for rapeseed as a biodiesel feedstock, underpinning import needs in the regional market. Subsequently, domestic production and imports contracted, leading to a reduction in total market volume, which reached a low of 1 243 thousand tonnes in 2020 before a modest recovery to 1 327 thousand tonnes in 2021.

Market conditions began to shift in 2022 with the publication of the Carbone 4 study, which highlighted the favorable environmental profile and low land-use change risk of rapeseed-based biofuel compared to alternatives. This validation supported demand, contributing to a market recovery to 1 370 thousand tonnes that year. Growth continued into 2023, with the market expanding to 1 676 thousand tonnes. By 2024, geopolitical tensions, including the war in Ukraine, increased production costs and pressured European harvests, reinforcing reliance on imports of Canadian canola to meet demand, while the emergence of new application segments like rapeseed lecithin broadened the market's basis.

Production rapeseed in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of rapeseed, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed, 2017-2020

Belgium's rapeseed production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 29 910 tonnes of rapeseed, marking a 10.5% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 35.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 13.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of rapeseed output in Belgium reached 14 972 thousand US dollars, up 5.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 17.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 14 252 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 18 298 thousand US dollars. The most significant drop was in 2019, with a 22.1% decline.

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

Exports rapeseed from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Rapeseed export volumes from Belgium varied significantly, with a six-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2020. In 2020, exports amounted to 505 thousand tonnes, representing a substantial year-on-year increase of 416.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 76.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and France were the top destinations for Belgium's rapeseed exports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 44.5% of exports, Germany for 34.8%, and France for 19.2%, together making up 98.5% of total export flows.

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

The market showed an unstable trend over the timeframe. Export values peaked in 2020 and hit their lowest point in 2017, with a 7.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belgium's rapeseed exports were valued at 253.0 million US dollars, up 506.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 75.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands and Germany dominated Belgium's rapeseed exports in value terms, together accounting for 81.4% of total flows. Other destinations contributed smaller individual shares.

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 to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's rapeseed imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 1 718 thousand tonnes of rapeseed, showing a slight reduction of 1.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 17.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.2%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 248 thousand tonnes. The largest decline was in 2019, at 22.8%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 7.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia, Ukraine, and the Netherlands were the main sources of rapeseed imports to Belgium in volume terms. Australia accounted for 26.3% of imports, Ukraine for 21.6%, and the Netherlands for 15.8%, together comprising 63.7% 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

In 2020, Belgium imported rapeseed valued at 723.0 million US dollars, reflecting a 1.4% year-on-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 20.5%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 7.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 723.0 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2018 at 933.1 million US dollars. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 22.5% decline.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, three key markets—Australia, Ukraine, and the Netherlands—together accounted for 64.0% of the total value of rapeseed imports to Belgium.

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

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