Rapeseed market in China, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, China's rapeseed production increased consistently from 13 281 thousand tonnes to 16 317 thousand tonnes. This growth was primarily driven by sustained government policies aimed at expanding cultivation area, especially in the Yangtze River basin, and promoting the use of winter fallow fields. The '14th Five-Year Plan' for crop farming and direct subsidies encouraged farmers to adopt high-yield, high-oil varieties and improve agricultural mechanization, which directly boosted domestic output.

Import volumes fluctuated significantly, shaping the overall market size. After a sharp drop in imports in 2019 contributed to a temporary market contraction, imports surged to 5 491 thousand tonnes in 2023. This surge was facilitated by lower global prices and shifts in trade policy, including an anti-dumping investigation into Canadian rapeseed. Combined with rising domestic production, this led the total market volume to reach a record 21 809 thousand tonnes in 2023.

The industry underwent notable consolidation, with frequent mergers and acquisitions leading to higher market concentration among processors. Simultaneously, growing consumer health awareness increased demand for high-quality rapeseed oil, prompting producers to focus on quality improvements and brand development within the supply chain.

Production rapeseed in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China maintained the second-highest global position in rapeseed production volume.

Top producers of rapeseed, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed, 2017-2020

China's rapeseed production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 14 049 K t of rapeseed, marking a moderate 4.2% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%.

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

Exports rapeseed from China

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 2.3-fold difference between the low of 2019 and the high of 2020. In 2020, China's foreign rapeseed supplies reached 0.1 K t, representing a 131.0% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.1 K t, with the largest decline of 48.1% occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, Pakistan, and South Korea were the primary buyers of rapeseed from China, accounting for 33.9%, 31.0%, and 30.3% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 95.1% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Rapeseed exports from China increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 0.5 M $ US, reflecting a sharp 70.5% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 108.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 27.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan, South Korea, and Japan accounted for the largest share of exports in value terms, with 65.1%, 13.0%, and 12.8% respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 90.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports rapeseed to China

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, China's rapeseed imports stood at 3 114 K t, representing a strong 13.8% gain relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 34.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 737 K t, while the maximum was in 2018 at 4 756 K t. The largest decline of 42.5% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada remained the leading supplier of rapeseed to China, accounting for 88.8% of total imports in kind, with the rest distributed across many other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, China's volume of rapeseed imports amounted to 1 364 M $ US, constituting an uptick of 11.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 37%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 224 M $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 2 226 M $ US. The largest decline of 45.0% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada remained the main market for imports in value terms, with a share of 89.6% of total flows, while the rest of the volume was fragmented across numerous other destinations.

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

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