Rapeseed market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the German rapeseed market volume exhibited overall growth, rising from 9.3 million tons to 10.8 million tons despite annual fluctuations. This expansion was underpinned by the introduction of new high-yield varieties like HATTRICK, PUZZLE and CROME, which improved disease resistance and crop yields. Concurrently, the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction quota for biofuels, effective from 2018, created steady demand for rapeseed as a feedstock for biodiesel production.

Following temporary dips in 2019 and 2021, market volume surged in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, German winter rapeseed harvest increased by 8.2% due to expanded cultivation area, while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recognition of rapeseed oil as a biofuel feedstock in December 2022 opened a new export channel. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 impacted supply chains but did not lead to closures of major production facilities. Continuously tightening GHG quotas in Germany and the EU further stimulated demand.

Market growth was also fueled by shifting consumer preferences towards sustainable and regionally produced vegetable oils, alongside the entry of new players in the bioenergy sector. Geopolitical events, including the war in Ukraine, affected global trade flows, but the German rapeseed market remained resilient due to domestic production and policy support for biofuels.

Production rapeseed in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany ranked 5th globally in rapeseed production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of rapeseed, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed, 2017-2020

Germany's rapeseed production rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, output reached 3 527 K t, marking a significant year-on-year increase of 24.6%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 17.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.2%. The lowest production level was in 2019 at 2 830 K t, which saw the steepest drop of 23.0%.

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

Exports rapeseed from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Rapeseed exports from Germany declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 39 K t, a sharp decrease of 40.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 73.5%, translating to an annualized decline of 35.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Poland were the primary destinations for Germany's rapeseed exports in volume terms, accounting for 25.8%, 20.5%, and 13.2% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 59.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's rapeseed exports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 129 M $ US, down 1.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 23.5%, with an annualized rate of -8.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 171 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 1.4%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 23.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's rapeseed exports in value terms were highly diversified. France, Ukraine, and Russia were the top markets, contributing 12.9%, 11.8%, and 11.2% of export value, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 35.9% of total flows, with the remaining 64.1% spread across a wide range of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports rapeseed to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's rapeseed imports increased after two years of decline. In 2020, import volume rose to 5 867 K t, a modest uptick of 2.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.1%, with an annualized rate of -1.0%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 5 713 K t, while the largest decline of 5.2% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's rapeseed imports in volume terms came from a broad range of partners. France, Ukraine, and the Netherlands were the leading sources, accounting for 21.2%, 13.5%, and 13.1% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 47.7% of total import flows, with the remaining 52.3% sourced from numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's rapeseed imports in value terms grew after a two-year reduction. In 2020, imports reached 2 653 M $ US, an increase of 8.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 2.7%, with an annualized rate of -0.9%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 2 457 M $ US, while the largest decline of 7.3% took place in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's rapeseed imports in value terms were sourced from a diverse set of partners. France, Ukraine, and the Netherlands were the top suppliers, contributing 22.3%, 13.2%, and 12.8% of import value, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 48.3% of total flows, with the remaining 51.7% distributed among many smaller markets.

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

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