Rapeseed market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Denmark's rapeseed production experienced notable fluctuations. Output rose to 729 thousand tons in 2019, supported by the European Union's renewable energy and biofuel blending mandates, which increased demand for rapeseed oil. However, production fell to 560 thousand tons in 2020 due to global supply chain disruptions that affected agricultural trade and operations.

A recovery followed in 2021, with production reaching 651 thousand tons as EU rapeseed oil exports grew by 62% amid sustained biofuel demand. Production peaked at 889 thousand tons in 2022 after the EU authorized fermented rapeseed cake as a novel food ingredient, opening new market segments for rapeseed by-products. Output then declined to 823 thousand tons in 2023, a year in which Denmark's Plant-Based Action Plan promoted protein-rich crops like rapeseed for long-term development.

Throughout the period, EU sustainability criteria and biofuel policies continued to shape market dynamics, while research initiatives and regulatory support for novel foods like fermented rapeseed cake fostered innovation in the rapeseed value chain.

Production rapeseed in Denmark

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Denmark was among the world's top rapeseed producers from 2018 to 2021, ranking 17th globally by production volume.

Top producers of rapeseed, 2018-2021

World map of production of rapeseed, 2018-2021

In 2021, Denmark produced 650.9 K t of rapeseed, marking a significant 16.2% increase compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 33.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 10.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 729.0 K t, with the largest annual increase of 49.0% also occurring that year. In contrast, 2020 saw the largest decline, with production dropping by 23.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports rapeseed from Denmark

Exports in kind, K t

Rapeseed exports from Denmark showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest point was in 2018, followed by a peak in 2019, resulting in a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Denmark exported 42.1 K t of rapeseed, a modest reduction of 3.2% compared to the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 90.4 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 131.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with exports falling by 51.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany was the leading destination for Denmark's rapeseed exports in kind, accounting for 81.4% of total flows, while the remainder was distributed among other partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market for rapeseed exports in value terms exhibited volatility over the observed period. The minimum value was recorded in 2018, rising to a maximum in 2019, with a 2.2-fold variation between these years. In 2021, Denmark's rapeseed exports amounted to 30 481 K $ US, a 30.0% increase compared to the previous year. The peak value was in 2019 at 43 821 K $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 115.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 46.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany remained the top buyer of rapeseed from Denmark in value terms, representing 77.4% of total exports, with the rest spread across numerous other countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021

Imports rapeseed to Denmark

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Denmark's rapeseed imports increased in 2021, totaling 139.2 K t, which represents a 26.9% advance over the previous year. Over the full period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 16.3%, corresponding to an annualized decline rate of 5.8%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2020 at 109.7 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 19.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

The country composition of Denmark's rapeseed imports in kind from 2018 to 2021 was dispersed. Latvia, Lithuania, and Germany were the top sources, with shares of 19.2%, 16.7%, and 13.1% respectively, together forming just 49.0% of total imports. The remaining 51.0% was split among a wide range of other destinations.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, Denmark's rapeseed imports in value terms increased in 2021, amounting to 87 014 K $ US, up by 60.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 11.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 54 244 K $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 21.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018–2021, Denmark's rapeseed imports in value terms came from many different markets. Even the largest destinations—Latvia, Lithuania, and France—together accounted for only 46.4% of total imports, highlighting the diverse sourcing.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021