Rapeseed Prices in Ukraine Remain Under Pressure from Low Demand in the EU

In the current 2025/26 season, rapeseed prices in Ukraine remain under significant pressure due to decreased demand from European Union countries. The main reason for this trend is the high rapeseed harvest in the EU, estimated at 19–20 million tons. This has led to a sharp reduction in import needs, as well as an expansion of the sown areas for winter rapeseed due to favorable weather conditions, which provides grounds for predicting even larger production volumes next year.

This is reported by AgroReview

Rapeseed Imports in the EU and Supply Prospects

According to data from the European Commission, in the first four months of the season, the EU reduced imports of rapeseed and canola by 47% compared to the same period last marketing year, to 1.26 million tons. This was mainly due to a decrease in supplies from Ukraine and Australia, although this shortfall was partially offset by an increase in imports from Moldova. In the coming months, an increase in supplies of cheap canola from Canada is expected, which has already been contracted and will start arriving in December–January, as well as the possible arrival of additional volumes from Australia.

Australia, according to ABARES forecasts, may harvest up to 6.4 million tons of rapeseed this year, exceeding last year’s result (6.1 million tons) and significantly surpassing the average of the last decade (4.8 million tons).

Price Dynamics and the State of the Domestic Market in Ukraine

In leading rapeseed-producing countries in Europe, such as Germany, France, Poland, Romania, and the Baltic States, the sowing of winter rapeseed took place on time and under favorable conditions, allowing for expectations of exceeding the projected areas and good crop development. Currently, the plants are entering the phase of winter dormancy.

Influenced by these factors, November rapeseed quotations in Paris have remained at 478.5 euros per ton (554.5 USD per ton) over the past two weeks, which is 1.5% higher than the previous month. At the same time, with the decline in global prices for vegetable oils caused by an increase in supply, the market is experiencing additional price pressure.

Rapeseed oil in the EU has decreased in price by 20–30 dollars per ton over the last two weeks and currently costs 1270–1280 dollars per ton (FOB Netherlands). This is related to the drop in oil prices, particularly Russian Urals oil, due to sanctions.

“In Ukraine, low sales rates of rapeseed for export persist due to the complicated mechanism of export clearance without duty payment by producers, therefore traders have raised export prices by 200–400 UAH/ton to 23500–24400 UAH/ton or 545–555 USD/ton with delivery to Black Sea ports.”

At the same time, rising logistics costs are limiting the volumes of rapeseed supplied to ports, so traders are hesitant to form new export batches and may refrain from chartering vessels in the coming months.

Demand for rapeseed from processors is also decreasing, as most companies have shifted to purchasing sunflower seeds. Only a few enterprises are buying rapeseed at a price of 23000–24000 UAH/ton with delivery to the factory, depending on oil content.

The area planted with winter rapeseed in Ukraine this year amounted to 1.08 million hectares, which is less than planned and lower than last year’s level due to dry weather in August–September. As a result, farmers are currently holding back rapeseed sales, awaiting the results of wintering and a possible price increase in spring.

November futures for Canadian canola have increased by 3% over the past two weeks to 647 Canadian dollars per ton (462 USD per ton) due to rising soybean quotations in the USA. However, the market is awaiting final data on the canola harvest in Canada, which will be released at the end of November. It is likely that StatCan will raise the official production forecast, which could again increase pressure on prices in December and January.