Rapeseed oilcake market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the rapeseed oilcake market in Western Europe stabilized around 6.1 million tons, with a slight contraction in 2019 followed by growth to 6.3 million tons in 2020. Global supply factors, such as the poor soybean harvest in Argentina in 2018, supported demand for rapeseed meal as an alternative protein source in animal feed, helping to maintain market volume.

Market size dipped to 6.1 million tons in 2021 but recovered to 6.2 million tons in 2022. A key driver emerged in 2023, as the European Union's use of over 13 million tons of rapeseed for biodiesel production significantly increased crushing activity, boosting the supply of oilcake and pushing the market volume to 6.3 million tons.

The market's expansion was further supported by technological investments in processing. By 2023, more than 70% of oilseed processors had adopted hybrid pressing and solvent extraction lines, improving efficiency. In 2024, the startup of a new dedicated organic rapeseed and sunflower crushing line by the Avril group in partnership with Terrena added further capacity.

Production rapeseed oilcake in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rapeseed oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed oilcake, 2017-2020

Western Europe's rapeseed oilcake production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 7 538 K t of rapeseed oilcake, marking a 2.9% rise compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 7 237 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 6.3% that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, rapeseed oilcake production in Western Europe rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 971 M $ US, representing a 6.2% increase over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 8.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The minimum value occurred in 2019 at 1 856 M $ US, while the largest drop was in 2018 with a 9.0% decline.

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

Exports rapeseed oilcake from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Western Europe's rapeseed oilcake exports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 3 506 K t, a significant 18.3% increase from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 37.5%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 11.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for rapeseed oilcake in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Spain accounted for 16.3% of exports, Ireland for 6.9%, and Finland for 5.6%, together making up 28.8% of total flows. The remaining 71.2% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's rapeseed oilcake exports continued to rise for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 916.8 M $ US, showing a 22.1% improvement compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 28.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%.

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

During 2017–2020, rapeseed oilcake exports from Western Europe in value terms were spread across numerous markets. Spain held 16.0% of exports, Ireland 7.0%, and Finland 5.6%, collectively accounting for just 28.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports rapeseed oilcake to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Rapeseed oilcake imports into Western Europe expanded for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 2 239 K t, up by 27.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports jumped by 43.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of rapeseed oilcake in kind to Western Europe were not heavily concentrated. Czechia represented 14.9% of imports, Poland 11.5%, and the United Kingdom 1.8%, together capturing only 28.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's rapeseed oilcake imports increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region imported 681.5 M $ US of rapeseed oilcake, which was 29.4% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 50%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.5%.

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

During 2017–2020, imports of rapeseed oilcake to Western Europe in value terms were distributed across a wide range of markets. Czechia accounted for 15.1% of imports, Poland for 11.8%, and the United Kingdom for 2.0%, jointly making up only 28.8% of total flows.

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

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