Rapeseed oilcake market in Chile

Earlier Report Observations

The rapeseed oilcake market in Chile contracted significantly between 2018 and 2023, with domestic production falling from 113.8 thousand tons to 62.7 thousand tons, leading to a drop in market volume from 113.1 thousand tons to 62.3 thousand tons. This decline occurred in a context where Chile's vegetable oil sector relies on imports for over 90% of its supply, which likely constrained local oilseed crushing and the generation of oilcake by-products.

In 2020, innovation projects aimed at valorizing olive oil extraction residues, such as developing solid biofuels and decontaminating carbons, gained momentum with support from the Agricultural Innovation Foundation (FIA) and the University of Concepción. These efforts reflected a broader industry shift towards circular bioeconomy and waste management, although they did not reverse the overall production downturn. By 2022, Chile remained a notable importer of peanut oilcake in international trade, indicating sustained demand for oilseed meals despite shrinking domestic output.

The market continued its downward trajectory through 2023, with no major regulatory changes or new large-scale players reported. The ongoing focus on sustainability and residue valorization in the Chilean oil industry provided a backdrop of technological adaptation amid declining volumes.

Production rapeseed oilcake in Chile

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Chile ranked 26th globally in rapeseed oilcake production volume.

Top producers of rapeseed oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed oilcake, 2017-2020

Chile's rapeseed oilcake production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Chile produced 94.4 K t of rapeseed oilcake, marking a slight decrease of 2.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 3.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 113.8 K t, with the largest increase of 15.9% occurring that year. Conversely, the largest decline of 14.7% was observed in 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Chile's rapeseed oilcake production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 28 562 K $ US, showing a controlled decline of 6.5% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 16.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 32 014 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 30.4% that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Chile in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports rapeseed oilcake from Chile

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import levels varied significantly, with a 2.1-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2019. In 2020, Chile's rapeseed oilcake export volume reached 390.0 t, representing an advance of 15.4% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 338.0 t, while the maximum was in 2018 at 702.0 t. The largest decline of 51.9% occurred in 2019, whereas the largest increase of 80.0% was in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile's rapeseed oilcake exports in kind were highly concentrated, with Peru accounting for 98.6% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe, with a 2-fold variation between the maximum in 2018 and the minimum in 2017. In 2020, rapeseed oilcake exports from Chile were recorded at 118.0 K $ US, constituting a robust rise of 11.0% relative to the prior year. The maximum value was in 2018 at 197.5 K $ US. The largest decline of 46.2% was recorded in 2019, while the largest increase of 102.5% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner base for exports in value terms was extremely narrow, with Peru alone responsible for 98.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports rapeseed oilcake to Chile

Imports in kind, t

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Chile's imports in kind of rapeseed oilcake showed pronounced dependence on the United States, which accounted for 100.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of imports in value terms was dominated by a single market: the United States, with a share of 100.0% of total flows.

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

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