German rapeseed oil exports on the decline

In Germany, German exports of rapeseed oil in the first half year 2017/18 fell short of the previous year’s level, according to UFOP. Both EU member states and third countries purchased considerably less rapeseed oil than a year earlier.

According to information published by the German Federal Statistical Office, German exports of rapeseed oil declined for the first time in three years. At 535,000 tonnes in the first half year of 2017/18, foreign sales were down 12 per cent from the 2016/17 reference period. Nearly 95 per cent of the exports, 505,000 tonnes, went to other EU countries. This amount translates to an 8 per cent drop from a year earlier. Purchases by the Netherlands, the hub of international trade in vegetable oils and biggest purchaser of German rapeseed oil, amounted to 278,800 tonnes, which was down around 12 per cent from the previous year’s level. By contrast, Polish imports climbed virtually 4 per cent to 88,500 tonnes. Belgium occupied third place despite a 28 per cent slump to 33,800 tonnes. According to Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft mbH, the EFTA states (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland), the second most important recipient region of German rapeseed oil, purchased 57 per cent less rapeseed oil than a year earlier (21,300 tonnes). The growth in exports to Switzerland did not offset the slowdown in trade with Norway.