EU rapeseed imports 45% above year-ago level

Year-to-date EU-27 rapeseed imports significantly exceeded earlier levels – despite a larger harvest than last year.
In the current crop year, rapeseed imports to the EU-27 climbed significantly. From July through February, member states imported 4.6 million tonnes from non-EU countries.
This was a full 45% rise on the same period a year earlier. The main reason for the large import volume is not only the abundant supply of EU rapeseed, but also availability and therefore the prices on the global market.
According to information published by Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (AMI), Ukraine has maintained its top position among the key rapeseed suppliers to the EU in the current crop year despite the continuing war.
With 2.6 million tonnes, just under 63% more than in the same period a year earlier, the country accounts for 56% of EU rapeseed imports.
This share compares to 50% in 2021/22.
Australia gained in importance due to a bumper crop and now ranks second most important supplier to the EU with 1.7 million tonnes and a share of 36.4%.
At 193,400 tonnes, the EU took only a fraction of the previous year’s amount of 501,800 tonnes. In other words, Canada's share in total EU imports dropped 12% to 4.2%. Supply from Moldova and Serbia to the EU-27 also declined compared to 2021/22.