Rapeseed oilcake market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, Belgium's rapeseed oilcake market volume fluctuated significantly, peaking at 347 thousand tonnes in 2021 before contracting to 178 thousand tonnes by 2023. Domestic production, while volatile, demonstrated overall resilience, supported by established crushers like Cargill at its Ghent and Antwerp facilities and specialty producer Alvenat in Ciney, which supplied protein-rich cake as a by-product of cold-pressed oil.

Production shifts were partly driven by agronomic and geopolitical factors. Very wet summer weather in 2021 degraded oilseed quality, contributing to a drop in output to 682 thousand tonnes. The following year, an excellent winter rapeseed harvest and the price surge triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine encouraged a production rebound to 758 thousand tonnes in 2022, a trend that continued into 2023. The industry also saw diversification, with Scam beginning to process sunflower seeds in 2022, expanding the range of oilseed cakes available.

Trade flows amplified market volatility. A sharp 212 thousand tonne drop in exports in 2021, coinciding with lower production, temporarily boosted domestic availability. Subsequently, rising production and attractive global prices fueled a strong export recovery, exceeding 709 thousand tonnes by 2023. Coupled with a gradual decline in imports, this growth in outbound shipments reduced the volume remaining for the local market in the latter part of the period.

Production rapeseed oilcake in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Belgium was among the world's leading producers of rapeseed oilcake from 2017 to 2020, ranking 9th globally by production volume.

Top producers of rapeseed oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed oilcake, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, Belgium's rapeseed oilcake production increased in 2020. That year, the country produced 801 thousand tons of rapeseed oilcake, marking a 5.2% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 9.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 761 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 10.4%.

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

Exports rapeseed oilcake from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, rapeseed oilcake exports from Belgium increased in 2020. Exports reached 664.3 thousand tons that year, showing a strong 10.2% year-over-year growth. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 602.7 thousand tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 4.3% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Ireland were the largest buyers of rapeseed oilcake from Belgium. The Netherlands accounted for 38.9% of exports in kind, France for 33.1%, and Ireland for 10.7%. Together, these three countries formed 82.7% of Belgium's total rapeseed oilcake exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, rapeseed oilcake exports from Belgium reached 165.9 million US dollars, representing a 14.1% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 10.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 145.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 11.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands, France, and Ireland formed the core of Belgium's rapeseed oilcake exports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 38.1% of export value, France for 33.4%, and Ireland for 10.7%. Collectively, these three markets represented 82.2% of Belgium's total export flows by value.

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

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

Imports rapeseed oilcake to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Rapeseed oilcake imports to Belgium increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports totaled 116.6 thousand tons that year, showing a sharp 28.1% gain from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 209.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 45.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and the Netherlands accounted for the majority of rapeseed oilcake imports to Belgium in kind, while other markets represented a less significant portion of imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Rapeseed oilcake imports to Belgium increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports totaled 30.4 million US dollars that year, up by 40.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 248.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 51.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany and the Netherlands remained the principal sources for Belgium's rapeseed oilcake imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 92.8% of total import flows. Other trading partners each represented significantly smaller shares.

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

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