Rapeseed market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

Polish rapeseed production demonstrated strong growth, rising from 2 106 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 3 575 thousand tonnes in 2023. This expansion was underpinned by an 8% increase in cultivation area in 2021 and again in 2022, which boosted domestic harvests. The significant role of the biodiesel sector provided stable demand for rapeseed processing, supporting overall production volumes throughout the period.

Market volume experienced considerable fluctuations, reaching a peak of 4 141 thousand tonnes in 2022. This surge was primarily driven by record-high imports, which exceeded 1 million tonnes that year due to large inflows from Ukraine and Australia. Geopolitical factors, including the war in Ukraine and related trade patterns, facilitated this import spike. Conversely, the market contracted to 3 022 thousand tonnes in 2023 as imports fell sharply and exports rose, a shift that occurred alongside reports of comfortable supply balances in the EU and lower prices.

Several specific events influenced the market's trajectory. Drought conditions in 2018 reduced grower interest, while from 2021 onward, the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions affected prices and supply chains. Import restrictions on rapeseed from Ukraine, introduced in 2021, also added complexity to trade flows, impacting domestic market dynamics.

Production rapeseed in Poland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Poland ranked 8th globally in rapeseed production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of rapeseed, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed, 2017-2020

Poland's rapeseed production grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 983 thousand tonnes of rapeseed, marking a 31.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 10.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 2 106 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 21.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Poland's rapeseed production value also increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 454 million US dollars, up 31.8% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 13.5%, with an average annual rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 045 million US dollars, accompanied by the largest decline of 18.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Poland in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports rapeseed from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

Poland's rapeseed export volume rose for the second straight year. In 2020, exports totaled 407.4 thousand tonnes, a sharp 25.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 8.9%, with an average annual growth of 2.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 224.5 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 40.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 45.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland's rapeseed exports in volume were heavily concentrated in Germany, which accounted for 91.5% of the total.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Poland's rapeseed export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 198.5 million US dollars, up 25.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 11.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.8%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 111.5 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 37.3%. The largest increase was in 2019, at 42.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany dominated Poland's rapeseed exports in value terms, holding 87.1% of the total, while the remaining flows were distributed among various smaller partners.

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

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

Imports rapeseed to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Poland's rapeseed import volume declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 717.7 thousand tonnes, down 20.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.0%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 717.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 68.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 29.4% drop.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the key sources for Poland's rapeseed imports in volume were Czechia (27.8%), Ukraine (21.7%), and Slovakia (14.2%), together representing 63.7% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Poland's rapeseed import value fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 210.7 million US dollars, a 12.7% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value dropped by 5.5%, with an annualized decline of 1.9%. The highest value was in 2018 at 336.5 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 51.0%. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 28.3% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Poland's rapeseed imports in value terms were Czechia, Ukraine, and Slovakia, collectively accounting for 55.9% of total imports.

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

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