Polish crushers drive rapeseed prices higher ahead of harvest

Rapeseed procurement prices in Poland have risen sharply ahead of the 2026 harvest as crushers and traders compete aggressively to secure new-crop supplies. In most regions, prices for new-crop rapeseed have climbed above PLN 2,150–2,250 ($570–595) per ton, well above the levels seen in late spring.

Analysts note that Poland produces around 3.5–3.9 mln tons of rapeseed annually, while its crushing capacity exceeds 4 mln tons. Because domestic production falls short of processing demand, the country traditionally imports rapeseed from Ukraine and other EU countries, prompting crushers to secure supplies well before harvest.

Higher logistics and fuel costs, together with stronger MATIF rapeseed futures, are providing additional support to prices. However, rising seed costs are squeezing crushers’ margins unless they can offset them through higher rapeseed oil and meal prices.

At the same time, favorable rapeseed crop prospects in Romania and other Black Sea countries could strengthen their position as suppliers to Polish crushers, particularly if local prices remain below those in Poland. Should rapeseed availability tighten or logistical bottlenecks emerge in Poland, the country could increase imports of rapeseed oil and meal.

The market is expected to remain volatile in the coming weeks. Price direction will depend on actual harvest yields, the pace of farmer selling, developments in MATIF futures, and the relative prices of rapeseed, sunflower, and palm oils, which will determine rapeseed’s competitiveness in the European vegetable oil market.

Tags: prices, Poland, rapeseed