Rapeseed oilcake market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The rapeseed oilcake market in China showed volatility from 2018 to 2020, with volume peaking at 6 104 thousand tons in 2018 before contracting to 5 625 thousand tons in 2019. This decline coincided with the U.S.-China trade dispute, which increased import reliance and pushed up prices for protein feeds, affecting market dynamics. The market then stabilized at 5 801 thousand tons in 2020.

A sustained expansion began in 2021, driving market volume to 6 426 thousand tons that year, supported by increased rapeseed imports influenced by policy and price factors. Growth continued to 6 987 thousand tons in 2022 as domestic rapeseed production rose by 5.56%, expanding processing capacity and boosting oilcake output despite a significant reduction in seed imports.

In 2023, the market reached a record 8 061 thousand tons. This surge was linked to historically high production and processing capacity in Hubei province, where the industry chain value hit 390 billion yuan. Simultaneously, global demand for rapeseed oil in biodiesel, which grew by 15.3%, affected worldwide supplies and prices. In 2024, import source diversification to include Russia and Belarus, along with high crushing volumes, indicated ongoing market evolution.

Production rapeseed oilcake in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

China ranked second globally in rapeseed oilcake production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of rapeseed oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed oilcake, 2017-2020

China's rapeseed oilcake production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 3 926 thousand tonnes, down 3.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 17.2%, with an average annual decline of 6.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4 815 thousand tonnes, which saw a modest increase of 1.5% from the previous year. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with a 15.7% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's rapeseed oilcake production value also declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, it was valued at 1 434 million US dollars, a 9.4% reduction from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 29.6%, averaging an 11.1% annual decline. The peak value was in 2018 at 2 045 million US dollars, which saw a slight increase of 0.3%. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 22.6% drop.

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

Exports rapeseed oilcake from China

Exports in kind, K t

China exported 13 thousand tonnes of rapeseed oilcake in 2020, a strong increase of 15.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 10.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 11 thousand tonnes, marking a 16.6% decline from the previous year. The highest was in 2018 at 13 thousand tonnes.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and the United Kingdom were the dominant destinations for China's rapeseed oilcake exports in volume terms, together accounting for 81.6% of total flows, while other countries had smaller individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

China's rapeseed oilcake exports in value terms reached 4.7 million US dollars in 2020, reflecting a moderate increase of 8.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 6.4%, with an average annual decline of 2.2%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 4.3 million US dollars, a sharp drop of 23.4%. The highest was in 2018 at 5.6 million US dollars, which saw a 12.7% increase.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States and the United Kingdom clearly dominated China's rapeseed oilcake exports in value terms, jointly making up 83.3% of total flows, with other countries holding much smaller shares.

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

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

Imports rapeseed oilcake to China

Imports in kind, K t

China's rapeseed oilcake imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 888 thousand tonnes, a significant rise of 19.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 95.7%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 25.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada remained the dominant source for China's rapeseed oilcake imports in volume terms, with a share of 89.5% of total flows, while the remainder was fragmented across other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

China's rapeseed oilcake imports in value terms also rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 577.5 million US dollars, up 18.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 94.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 24.8%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Canada was by far the main source for China's rapeseed oilcake imports in value terms, accounting for 90.1% of total flows.

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

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