Rapeseed market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

The rapeseed market in South America experienced shifts in volume from 2018 to 2023, with initial growth driven by Brazil's biodiesel policy. Law No. 13.263 mandated a progressive increase in the biodiesel blend in diesel fuel, raising demand for rapeseed oil and encouraging expanded cultivation, particularly in Rio Grande do Sul. The start of exports through the Port of Imbituba in 2018 opened new international outlets, further stimulating production despite some fluctuations in domestic consumption.

From 2020 onward, production accelerated markedly due to investments in tropicalized genetics and agricultural zoning that identified new suitable growing regions. Demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) research added a premium use for rapeseed oil, while global appetite for healthy oils and biofuels supported prices. By 2023, high-yielding varieties and extensive technical training helped push production above 1 million tonnes, lifting the domestic market volume to 403 thousand tonnes.

Production rapeseed in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rapeseed, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed, 2017-2020

In South America, rapeseed production reached 409.4 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a 3.6% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 5.4%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 391.2 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-on-year drop of 9.7% occurring that same year. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase, with production rising by 8.6%.

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

Exports rapeseed from South America

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend over the analyzed period. Export volumes fluctuated significantly, dropping to their lowest point in 2017 and peaking in 2019, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, rapeseed exports from South America totaled 87.5 thousand tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 26.8% compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 119.5 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 161.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of South American rapeseed in volume terms were Free Zones, accounting for 30.8% of exports, the United States with 27.0%, and Russia at 10.0%. Together, these three markets represented 67.8% of total rapeseed exports from the region.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, South America's rapeseed export value declined in 2020. Exports were recorded at 54 465 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 20.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, export value increased by 50.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.6%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 68 441 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 65.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South America in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary buyers of South American rapeseed in value terms were Canada, with 29.8% of exports, the United States at 28.9%, and Free Zones contributing 17.7%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 76.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports rapeseed to South America

Imports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 12.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, rapeseed imports into South America amounted to 30.9 thousand tonnes, equivalent to a dramatic increase of 1 187.3% compared to 2019. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2.4 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 51.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Canada and the United States were the principal suppliers of rapeseed to South America in volume terms, together accounting for 74.2% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited significant fluctuations over the period. Import value dropped to its lowest point in 2017 and reached a high in 2020, with a 4.6-fold variation between these years. In 2020, South America's rapeseed import value totaled 17 906 thousand US dollars, representing a 321.1% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 23.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South America in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of rapeseed imports to South America in value terms were Canada, with 42.5% of imports, the United States at 15.7%, and Germany contributing 7.6%. Together, these three countries represented 65.7% of total import value.

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

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