More rapeseed was harvested in the European Union in the 2020/2021 season than in the previous season. Consumption is estimated to be lower for 2020/2021 than in 2019/2020. It is expected that less will be imported as well. The closing stock is estimated to increase to 800.000 tons.
According to the European Commission, slightly more rapeseed was harvested in 2020/2021 than in 2019/2020. The total harvest, at 16,1 million tons, is 5% higher than last season's harvest. The growth can be traced back to Germany, Poland, Lithuania and the Czech Republic. The increase in production in these countries more than offsets the decline in other Member States.
Consumption drops
The consumption of rapeseed in the EU is estimated by the commission at 21,2 million tonnes this season. That was still 2019 million tons in 2020/22,1. The EU's self-sufficiency rate for rapeseed has increased from 70% to 76% due to the larger harvest and lower demand.
The European Commission assumes that 5,5 million tons of rapeseed will be imported from outside the EU during this season. That is 11% less than a season earlier. According to estimates, approximately 70% of the expected 5,5 million have already been imported. The final stock of rapeseed will increase by 2020 tons to 2021 tons at the end of the 300.000/800.000 season. That is considerably more compared to the 2019/2020 season. Although the stock has increased, it still remains relatively small. In the 2017/2018 season, for example, the final total was 2,1 million tons.