German rapeseed meal exports reach record level

German rapeseed meal exports have reached a record level. From July 2020 to May 2021, exports were up 17 percent over the previous year and larger than ever before. The Netherlands and Spain traditionally received the largest amounts for milk production.

From July 2020 to April 2021, Germany exported nearly 2 million metric tons of rapeseed meal. According to information published by the German Federal Statistical Office, this was up approximately 17 percent year-on-year and the largest tonnage on record. Most of this, nearly 1.9 million tons, remained in the European Union.

The Netherlands was the largest recipient, taking 950,000 tons (up 25 percent), followed by Spain, which received 282,000 tons (up 29 percent). Finland held third place, despite a decline of 12 percent to 141,000 tons. Exports to France increased marginally to 139,000 tons.

Switzerland was once more a key recipient outside the European Union with imports remaining virtually unchanged at 38,500 tons. The U.K. is a new addition to the list of non-EU recipients. The U.K. doubled its imports to almost 45,000 tons.

According to Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (mbH), exports of rapeseed meal exceeded those of soybean meal in 2020-’21 for the first time since 2015-’16, namely by 12 percent.

Germany has approximately 9 million tons of rapeseed processing capacity.