Rapeseed oilcake market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the German rapeseed oilcake market volume fluctuated around 3 million tonnes. In 2018, prolonged drought reduced the domestic rapeseed harvest, limiting feedstock availability for oilcake production. Nevertheless, consistent demand from the livestock sector, where rapeseed meal has covered half of all meal consumption since 2012, provided a stable base. The market volume reached 2.8 million tonnes in 2018, rose to 3.0 million tonnes in 2019, and then held nearly steady at 3.0 million tonnes in 2020.

From 2021 to 2023, market volume showed moderate swings. It dipped to 2.9 million tonnes in 2021, rebounded to 3.0 million tonnes in 2022, and edged down again to 3.0 million tonnes in 2023. These movements reflected typical year‑to‑year variability in supply and trade flows.

In 2024, the market expanded to 3.2 million tonnes. This increase occurred against a backdrop of tighter rapeseed supply in the EU, caused by reduced winter sowing areas and droughts in major exporting regions like Canada and Australia, which pushed up rapeseed prices. Domestically, Germany’s rapeseed area remained above 1 million hectares, and the introduction of new high‑yielding varieties such as FAMULUS helped sustain oilcake production.

Production rapeseed oilcake in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's rapeseed oilcake production has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 591.3 million US dollars, marking an 8.5% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 22%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 6.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany ranked as the world's third-largest producer of rapeseed oilcake by volume.

Top producers of rapeseed oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed oilcake, 2017-2020

Rapeseed oilcake production in Germany has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, Germany produced 4 147 thousand tonnes, up 1.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 733 thousand tonnes, which saw a decline of 1.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase, with production rising by 9.0%.

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

Exports rapeseed oilcake from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of rapeseed oilcake from Germany have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 2 034 thousand tonnes, a 19.4% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 29%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 8.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 1 506 thousand tonnes, which marked a decline of 4.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Spain, and Finland were the main markets for Germany's rapeseed oilcake exports by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 46.4% of exports, Spain for 11.0%, and Finland for 10.2%. Together, these three countries represented 67.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's rapeseed oilcake exports have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 511.3 million US dollars, up 22.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 39.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Spain, and Finland formed the core group of markets for Germany's rapeseed oilcake exports by value. The Netherlands contributed 46.0% of export value, Spain 10.8%, and Finland 10.1%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 67.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports rapeseed oilcake to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's rapeseed oilcake imports have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 844 thousand tonnes, a 33.2% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 53.1%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 15.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Czechia, Poland, and the Netherlands were the principal sources of rapeseed oilcake imports to Germany by volume. Czechia supplied 46.1% of imports, Poland 33.7%, and the Netherlands 10.1%. Together, these three countries accounted for 89.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's rapeseed oilcake imports have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 213.2 million US dollars, up 37.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 60.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Poland, and the Netherlands were the primary suppliers of rapeseed oilcake to Germany by value. Czechia accounted for 44.6% of import value, Poland for 32.5%, and the Netherlands for 11.4%. Collectively, these three suppliers represented 88.5% of total imports in value terms.

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

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