Soybean oilcake market in France

Earlier Report Observations

In 2019, the French soybean oilcake market volume jumped to 3 668 thousand tonnes, a rise of 683 thousand tonnes from the previous year. This increase was driven by a surge in imports, which reached 3 163 thousand tonnes. During this period, the sector saw the launch of new domestic crushing plants and the start of the state-funded 'Protein' plan, aimed at expanding local processing capacity and supporting French soybean valorization. However, domestic production of oilcake edged down slightly, indicating that the market growth was primarily import-led.

From 2020 onward, market volume entered a downward trend, falling to 3 433 thousand tonnes in 2020 and further to 2 851 thousand tonnes by 2023. The decline coincided with global overproduction of oilcake due to record harvests in the United States and South America, which put downward pressure on prices and import flows. The European Union's tightening anti-deforestation legislation, drafted in 2021 and set for full application in 2025, increased traceability requirements and costs for imported oilcake. Despite the shrinking market, the number of French soybean crushing plants grew to 11 by 2022, and the voluntary Soja de France Charter covered 40 000 tonnes of certified product in the same year.

Production soybean oilcake in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of soybean oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of soybean oilcake, 2017-2020

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Production volumes varied significantly, with a 5.6-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2018. In 2020, France produced 557.6 K t of soybean oilcake, a slight decline of 2.9% from 2019. The peak production was recorded in 2018 at 594.9 K t. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 3.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 461.6%.

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

Exports soybean oilcake from France

Exports in kind, K t

France's soybean oilcake exports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 30 K t, down 56.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 60.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -26.8%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 124 K t, and the largest increase occurred that same year at 61.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland were the primary buyers of soybean oilcake from France, accounting for 32.9%, 21.6%, and 14.8% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 69.3% of total exports in kind.

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

Soybean oilcake exports from France declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, France exported 17 M $ US of soybean oilcake, a decrease of 42.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 68.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -32.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland were the main markets for French soybean oilcake exports in value terms, with shares of 27.7%, 26.6%, and 13.8%, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 68.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports soybean oilcake to France

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, France imported 2 906 K t of soybean oilcake, a modest decrease of 8.1% from 2019. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 2 514 K t, while the highest was in 2019 at 3 163 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 13.1%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 25.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Belgium, and India were the main sources of soybean oilcake imports to France in kind, contributing 62.3%, 10.9%, and 6.1% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 79.3% of total import volumes.

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 soybean oilcake imports increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 1 176 M $ US, showing little change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.9%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Brazil, Belgium, and India were the largest contributors to France's soybean oilcake imports in value terms, with shares of 60.1%, 11.1%, and 6.9%, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 78.0% of total import value.

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

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