Poland assessed how increased rapeseed processing in Ukraine will affect its market

Changes in rapeseed exports from Ukraine could have serious consequences for the Polish market. This is not only greater competition in the vegetable oil market instead of raw materials, but also pressure on Polish processing plants, causing downtime due to a shortage of raw materials. This is reported by Farmer.pl.

This could also lead to a decrease in the availability of imported raw materials, which could affect the prices of rapeseed in Poland, as well as rapeseed feed. A decrease in rapeseed processing in the country means not only a limitation of the supply of its own oil, but also domestic sources of protein. This has an impact on Polish farmers and their decisions on crops for the coming years, the publication writes.

“It turns out that Ukraine, in particular thanks to our decisions (embargo), is no longer just a raw material base for the European Union,” the material says.

Ukraine is becoming an increasingly strong player in the processed products segment, which is radically changing the balance of power on the market. For Poland, this is an alarming signal that can change not only the structure of oil production and its supply of raw materials, but also puts the future and stability of rapeseed production under great question.

In the period from July 1, 2025 to the end of March this year, exports of vegetable oils from Ukraine in monetary terms increased by 21.1%, and Poland is the second, after Spain, importer of rapeseed oil from Ukraine.

What about rapeseed in Poland

In Poland, the state of rapeseed crops is deteriorating due to drought and April frosts – in some fields, the yield potential is already estimated at 1-1.5 t/ha.

This is important for Ukraine, since Poland is one of the key players in the EU rapeseed balance. In the event of a decrease in the harvest, the need for imported raw materials will increase.

Previously, Polish processors have already declared a rapeseed deficit and asked to allow imports from Ukraine, estimating the shortage at at least 500 thousand tons. At the same time, imports of Ukrainian rapeseed to Poland remain prohibited.

If the market is opened, this could support prices for Ukrainian rapeseed due to additional demand.

Tags: Ukraine, Poland, rapeseed, rapeseed oil