EU rapeseed imports leveled off

In Germany, UFOP reports that the excessive EU rapeseed imports which previously characterized the marketing year have waned. At the beginning of April, the total volume stood at the previous year’s level.

Extensive rapeseed imports from third countries were a major feature of the EU rapeseed market already early in the running marketing year. This was the case although internal supplies were sufficient since the 2017 harvest of 22.3 million tonnes exceeded the 2016 output by 2.1 per cent. Nevertheless, rapeseed imports outpaced the mark of 1 million tonnes as early as October 2017. In 2016/17, this level was not reached until early December. The reason was probably lower-priced supply from the Ukraine after the 2017 harvest. Weekly imports from third countries continuously exceeded the previous year’s level as the marketing year progressed, Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft mbH reported. They amounted to 83,500 tonnes on a monthly average, which was up 33,000 tonnes from the previous year. The pace of imports has slowed since February. Nevertheless, one-time shipments continue to be disproportionately frequent. As a result, March 2018 imports totalled 287,500 tonnes, which was 50,000 tonnes fewer than 2017. At the beginning of April, EU imports from third countries reached the previous year’s level.