Australia changes the export structure of its rapeseed sector

Australia exported 444 thsd tons of rapeseed in May, down 3% from April and 28% below the level recorded in May last year. The decline continues the trend seen throughout the current marketing season.

The main reason was a sharp reduction in shipments to the European Union. At the same time, Australian exporters partly offset these losses by increasing deliveries to Japan, China, the United Arab Emirates, and Bangladesh.

From October 2025 through May 2026, Australia exported 4.2 mln tons of rapeseed, around 0.6 mln tons less than during the same period of the previous season. Shipments to the EU fell by 45% year-on-year, while exports to China and Japan increased significantly.

Meanwhile, Australia continues to expand its rapeseed oil exports. During the first eight months of the season, shipments reached 181 thsd tons, up 14% from a year earlier. The strongest growth was recorded in exports to New Zealand, while shipments to China and the United States declined.

According to analysts, this trend reflects a gradual transformation of Australia’s rapeseed sector. The country is increasingly focusing on domestic processing, reducing raw seed exports while expanding shipments of higher value-added products.

Tags: Australia, export, rapeseed