EU rapeseed processing falls to three-year low as processors switch to soybeans

In January-May 2025, the volume of rapeseed processing in the European Union decreased to 10.2 million tons – this is the lowest figure in the last three years. According to Oil World, it is 0.7 million tons less compared to the same period last year. The reduction in processing caused a decrease in the production of rapeseed oil and meal.

The key reasons for this decline were the low level of rapeseed stocks in the EU, the high purchase price and the decrease in demand for rapeseed oil from biodiesel producers. These factors led to a decrease in the profitability of rapeseed processing, as a result of which some companies began to refocus on soybean processing.

As a result, in January-May 2025, soybean processing in the EU increased by 4%. However, growth was restrained by the active supply of cheap South American soybean meal to the EU, which partially met demand without the need for domestic processing.

EU soybean meal consumption is expected to reach a record 33.3 million tonnes in the 2024/25 marketing year (October-September), 4.1 million tonnes more than in the previous season. The increase in soybean demand comes at the same time as a decrease in the consumption of rapeseed and sunflower meal – by 1 million tonnes each.

In Germany, in particular, in the period January-April 2025, the use of soybean meal in compound feed increased by 14%, while the consumption of rapeseed meal decreased by 4%.

Tags: EU, soybean, rapeseed, rapeseed oil, rapeseed meal