China became the leader among importers of Ukrainian rapeseed meal for the first time

According to the results of July-December MY 2025/26, rapeseed meal exports from Ukraine increased by 70% compared to the same period in the previous season to 340 thousand tons, which became the second largest export volume for the first half of the season in history after MY 2023/24, when 374 thousand tons of meal were shipped in July-December.

The growth in export rates was facilitated by the increase in rapeseed processing in the first half of the season to almost 800 thousand tons, which was a consequence of the introduction of a 10% export duty on rapeseed and an improvement in processing margins.

At the same time, the sale of rapeseed meal traditionally remains difficult and hampered by low domestic consumption, so to prevent the accumulation of stocks, companies often make price discounts on it. In addition, import demand for rapeseed meal from the nearest largest consumer – the EU – in the current season is also too low due to a significant domestic rapeseed harvest and active imports of cheap Canadian canola.

Thus, in the first half of the MY 2025/26, Ukraine reduced its exports of rapeseed meal to the EU compared to the previous season from 171 to 71 thousand tons, while Canada increased it to 436 thousand tons, although last year it almost did not supply meal to the EU.

As a result, Ukrainian companies refocused on other markets, in particular, China, which is experiencing a certain shortage of rapeseed meal, as it has not been able to fully compensate for the abandonment of the Canadian product.

Exports from Ukraine to China of a record 155 thousand tons of meal brought China to first place among importers of Ukrainian rapeseed meal.

It should be noted that so far the main volume of Chinese imports of rapeseed meal is formed by Russian and Indian products, as well as meal from the UAE.

At the same time, the improvement of trade relations between China and Canada and the mutual reduction of import duties may make the Chinese market unattractive for the sale of Ukrainian products in the near future.

Tags: Ukraine, China, rapeseed meal