Romanian Rapeseed Exports Surge, Top Supplier to Germany

• Romania becomes Germany’s top rapeseed supplier with 873,000 tonnes in H1 2024/25, supported by a record harvest more than double last year.
• Ukrainian rapeseed exports to Germany fall 39% to 752,000 tonnes after the introduction of export duties on oilseeds, eroding its market share.
• EU supply chain reshuffle as increased Romanian, French, and Dutch volumes partially offset reduced Black Sea and Canadian flows.

Market Update

Germany imported around 3.1 million tonnes of rapeseed in the first half of the 2024/25 marketing year, a 4% increase versus the same period a year earlier, according to the Federal Statistical Office. The rise in imports reflects strong demand from the domestic crushing industry and a reshuffling of preferred origins.

Romania emerged as Germany’s largest rapeseed supplier, shipping 873,000 tonnes in H1 2024/25. This surge is underpinned by a record Romanian harvest that more than doubled last season’s output, significantly boosting its exportable surplus and cementing its role as a key supplier within the EU.

Ukraine delivered approximately 752,000 tonnes of rapeseed to Germany over the same period, a sharp 39% year-on-year decline. The drop is closely linked to Kyiv’s decision to introduce export duties on rapeseed and soybeans, which has reduced the competitiveness of Ukrainian raw oilseed exports into EU markets.

French rapeseed shipments to Germany climbed 64% to 477,000 tonnes, while exports from the Netherlands more than doubled, underlining the growing importance of intra-EU trade. By contrast, Canadian rapeseed supplies to Germany fell, as Black Sea and EU origins absorbed a greater share of demand.

Rapeseed Import Structure: Germany H1 2024/25

Analysis: Shifting Rapeseed Trade Flows

Bearish for Ukrainian rapeseed origins, bullish for Romanian supply. Ukraine’s export duties on rapeseed and soybeans are visibly redirecting trade flows away from Black Sea origins. Reduced Ukrainian competitiveness is allowing Romania’s record crop to capture market share in Germany, while also reinforcing intra-EU trade from France and the Netherlands.

For the EU crushing sector, Romania’s production gains provide a crucial alternative origin that mitigates supply risks tied to Ukrainian policy changes. However, if Kyiv aims to regain lost market share, traders will be watching for any adjustments to the current duty regime. In the meantime, the growing role of Romanian and other EU suppliers underscores a structural shift in regional rapeseed sourcing.

Source: Market Data