South Africa expands canola acreage nearly twelvefold and becomes a net exporter

South Africa has significantly expanded canola production over the past three decades, transforming itself from an importer into a net exporter of the crop. While commercial canola plantings covered only 17 thsd ha in the 1998/99 season, the area reached 197.9 thsd ha in 2026/27, an almost twelvefold increase. The industry’s development has been supported by growing domestic demand for edible oils and meal, expanding processing capacity, and improved profitability of canola cultivation.

In the 2026/27 season, South Africa expects a record canola harvest of 368.3 thsd tons, up 20% from the previous year. Production is concentrated mainly in the Western Cape province, where the winter rainfall climate favors cultivation of the crop. Despite periodically unfavorable weather conditions, crops remain in relatively good condition, allowing analysts to expect production to reach the forecast level.

One of the main drivers of acreage expansion has been the higher profitability of canola compared with traditional grain crops. In particular, some South African farmers have shifted acreage from wheat to canola. Meanwhile, the development of the domestic oilseed crushing industry has generated additional demand for raw materials, encouraging farmers to invest in canola production.

Higher production has enabled South Africa not only to meet domestic demand but also to develop canola exports. In recent years, the country has supplied European markets, including Germany and Belgium, and has become a net exporter of the crop. South Africa’s soybean industry previously underwent a similar transformation, with investment in processing helping increase production to around 3 mln tons annually and enabling the country to move from import dependence to soybean exports.

Further expansion of South Africa’s agricultural production is linked to bringing additional land into commercial use and developing international markets. The government plans to make approximately 2.5 mln ha of land available for commercial agriculture, including crop and livestock production. At the same time, expanding agricultural exports to Europe, Asia and the Middle East remains a priority, potentially creating additional opportunities for oilseed production.

Tags: oilseeds, rapeseed, South Africa