Rapeseed market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

Lithuanian rapeseed production expanded rapidly from 436 thousand tons in 2018 to 972 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was primarily driven by increasing demand from the biofuel sector, particularly for bioethanol and biogas within the European Union. State-owned companies and market participants enlarged cultivation areas, supported by government subsidies and agricultural support programs aimed at boosting domestic output. However, the domestic market size fluctuated during this period as a significant portion of the increased production was directed toward export, which rose sharply to 675 thousand tons in 2020.

The market entered a phase of adjustment from 2021 onward with the implementation of new EU sustainability regulations for biofuels, which introduced stricter requirements for rapeseed used in fuel production. Concurrently, market diversification took place as new products oriented toward the food and cosmetic sectors emerged, catering to consumer health trends. Investments by state enterprises and new market players in processing infrastructure helped maintain competitiveness. Production volumes stabilized around 900-910 thousand tons in 2021-2022, while the domestic market size experienced modest variations, influenced by these regulatory and structural shifts.

In 2023, rapeseed production in Lithuania decreased to 820 thousand tons, yet the domestic market size saw a slight increase to 304 thousand tons. Import volumes rose to 47.6 thousand tons that year, while exports moderated to 563 thousand tons. The subsequent years showed continued volatility in trade flows, with imports dipping in 2024 before rising again in 2025, and export volumes exhibiting similar adjustments, reflecting the market's ongoing adaptation to both internal capacities and external demand conditions.

Production rapeseed in Lithuania

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Lithuania ranked 15th globally in rapeseed production.

Top producers of rapeseed, 2018-2021

World map of production of rapeseed, 2018-2021

Lithuania's rapeseed production declined after two years of growth. In 2021, the country produced 909.4 thousand tons of rapeseed, which is 6.5% lower than the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production increased by 108.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 27.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 972.4 thousand tons, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 58.9%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Rapeseed production in Lithuania grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 526.0 million US dollars, representing a 19.3% increase compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value rose by 176.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 40.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports rapeseed from Lithuania

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Lithuania exported 607.0 thousand tons of rapeseed, marking a modest decline of 10.0% from 2020. The peak export volume was 674.6 thousand tons in 2020, which also saw the largest annual increase at 111.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands (22.0% of exports by volume), Latvia (19.9%), and Germany (19.1%) were the main destinations for Lithuania's rapeseed exports, together accounting for 61.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Lithuania's rapeseed exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 351.1 million US dollars worth of rapeseed, showing a significant 14.8% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, export value grew by 288.7%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 57.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands (21.4% of exports by value), Germany (20.2%), and Latvia (18.2%) were the largest buyers of Lithuanian rapeseed, together representing 59.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports rapeseed to Lithuania

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest import volume was in 2018, while the peak occurred in 2020, with a 3.4-fold gap between these years. In 2021, Lithuania imported 14.1 thousand tons of rapeseed, reflecting a 44.1% decrease year-over-year. The maximum import volume was 25.2 thousand tons in 2020, and the largest annual increase was 94.1% in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia (64.3% of imports by volume), Poland (14.5%), and Ukraine (7.4%) accounted for the largest share of Lithuania's rapeseed imports, together comprising 86.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Lithuania's rapeseed imports amounted to 27.0 million US dollars, representing a substantial 13.2% decline compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, import value increased by 20.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 21.7 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2020 at 31.1 million US dollars. The largest annual increase occurred in 2020 at 43.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany (41.3% of imports by value), Latvia (17.8%), and France (10.2%) were the main sources for Lithuania's rapeseed imports, together accounting for 69.3% of total import value.

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

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