EU Reduces Oilseed Exports by 8% in the 2024/2025 Season: Detailed Analysis
In the 2024/2025 season, European Union countries decreased their oilseed export volumes by 8% compared to the previous corresponding period, totaling 1.16 million tons. The largest volume among oilseeds was exported in the form of sunflower — 488.4 thousand tons (+17% compared to last year), while rapeseed exports amounted to only 313.4 thousand tons, representing a significant reduction of 33%. In contrast, soybean exports demonstrated substantial growth — up 81% to 356.3 thousand tons.
This is reported by AgroReview
Dynamics of Meal and Oil Exports
Overall, EU meal exports decreased by 9% — to 1.36 million tons. The largest negative impact came from a 35% reduction in sunflower meal exports (305.6 thousand tons), while rapeseed meal shipments slightly increased — by 3% to 647.3 thousand tons, and soybean meal remained at last year’s level (405.3 thousand tons).
As for vegetable oils, the export volume also declined by 17% to 1.29 million tons. The drop was driven by a significant reduction in sunflower oil exports by 31% (474.1 thousand tons) and rapeseed oil by 19% (476.1 thousand tons). Meanwhile, soybean oil exports increased by 2% (586.4 thousand tons), and palm oil showed significant growth — up 28% (338.9 thousand tons).
Major Exporters and Supply Directions
Romania emerged as the leading exporter of oilseeds in the EU, having shipped 268.1 thousand tons of sunflower, 85.2 thousand tons of soy, and 32.4 thousand tons of rapeseed this season. Spain became the largest exporter of vegetable oil: the country exported 225.6 thousand tons of soybean oil, 72.1 thousand tons of sunflower oil, and 6.5 thousand tons of rapeseed oil.
The main markets for soy this season were Serbia (225.0 thousand tons), for rapeseed — the United Kingdom (297.6 thousand tons), and for sunflower — Turkey (292.9 thousand tons). Regarding vegetable oil buyers, Morocco purchased 291.3 thousand tons of soybean oil, the United Kingdom — 132.6 thousand tons of sunflower oil, and Norway — 169.9 thousand tons of rapeseed oil.
Romania ranks first in oilseed exports among EU countries, having supplied 268.1 thousand tons of sunflower, 85.2 thousand tons of soy, and 32.4 thousand tons of rapeseed to external markets this season.