Rapeseed oilcake market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French rapeseed oilcake market saw its volume reach 2 704 thousand tons in 2023, following a period of fluctuation from 2 400 thousand tons in 2018. This significant growth was supported by regulatory shifts, including rising demand for non-GMO labeling as outlined in quality reports, and sustained public investment through the Cap Protéines project which funded innovation in processing techniques to enhance protein efficiency for human consumption.

Market expansion was bolstered by the entry of new production facilities, such as the Oléosyn Bio crushing unit launched in 2021 and the Avril-Terrena rapeseed-sunflower line commissioned in 2022, which doubled organic oilcake capacity. However, the market volume contracted in 2022 to 2 318 thousand tons, primarily due to a sharp increase in rapeseed prices linked to the war in Ukraine, which pressured consumption. Earlier regulatory developments, including updated EU pesticide residue limits and traceability obligations under the sector plan, further shaped the market environment.

Recent developments include stabilized prices and increased import activity at the port of Sète, alongside new EU traceability requirements for animal feed under Regulation 2023/1119. The national food sovereignty plan has also brought focus to the persistent oilcake deficit and debates on relocalizing crushing capacity to reduce dependence on imported soy.

Production rapeseed oilcake in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, France held the fifth position globally in rapeseed oilcake production.

Top producers of rapeseed oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed oilcake, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, France's rapeseed oilcake production rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 2 340 K t, marking a modest increase of 2.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 10.1%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 3.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 277 K t, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with an 8.3% decline.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of rapeseed oilcake output in France reached 661.3 M $ US, showing a robust growth of 15.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest value was observed in 2019 at 574.3 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 8.8% during this period.

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

Exports rapeseed oilcake from France

Exports in kind, K t

France's rapeseed oilcake exports grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 549.2 K t, representing a sharp year-on-year increase of 31.2%. From 2017 to 2020, exports expanded by 27.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 8.4%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 308.6 K t, which also experienced the biggest decline of 28.4%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 35.6% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the three primary markets for France's rapeseed oilcake exports in volume terms were Spain, Morocco, and Ireland, collectively accounting for 75.6% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

France's rapeseed oilcake export value continued to rise for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 155.2 M $ US, up 47.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, export value increased by 54.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 81.4 M $ US, which also saw the most significant decline of 18.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Morocco, and Ireland emerged as the leading markets for France's rapeseed oilcake exports in value terms. Spain accounted for 51.1% of export value, Morocco for 12.3%, and Ireland for 11.2%, together making up 74.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports rapeseed oilcake to France

Imports in kind, K t

France's rapeseed oilcake imports increased for the second year running. In 2020, imports reached 587.0 K t, up 37.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume grew by 50.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.6%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 320.9 K t, which also recorded the largest decline of 17.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Belgium, Germany, and Poland were the main sources for France's rapeseed oilcake imports in volume terms. Belgium contributed 48.1% of imports, Germany 16.5%, and Poland 9.1%, together representing 73.8% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

France's rapeseed oilcake import value rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 160.6 M $ US, a 46.0% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value surged by 70.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.4%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 85.4 M $ US, which also experienced the biggest decline of 9.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, Germany, and Poland were the top contributors to France's rapeseed oilcake imports in value terms. Belgium accounted for 47.2% of import value, Germany for 16.4%, and Poland for 9.1%, collectively making up 72.6% of total import flows.

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

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