KIEV: Ahead of the new season rapeseed market is predictably active. In April 2016 Ukraine exported 44.5 KMT of rapeseed. That was 10.8 KMT lower than record high volume exported in April of season 2011/12. Besides, exports increased by 36 KMT compared with March 2016 and was 33.2 KMT higher than in April 2015. Since the beginning of season 2015/16 (July-April) Ukraine shipped abroad 1416.5 KMT of rapeseed against 1905.6 KMT in season 2014/15.
Ukrainian rapeseed export structure has not undergone significant changes. Traditionally, EU countries were the largest importers of Ukrainian rapeseed (71.8% of total exports). Pakistan (9.6%), UAE (4.1%), Bangladesh (3.2%) and Israel (2.1%) remained other leading importers of Ukrainian rapeseed.
Analysis of rapeseed and its processed products exports shows a logical decrease in rapeseed supply to foreign markets in favor of increased processed products exports – rapeseed meal and oil. Their export reached record high in season 2015/16. During July 2015-April 2016 Ukraine exported 166.5 KMT of rapeseed meal and 152.2 KMT of rapeseed oil.
Considering expanding rapeseed crushing capacities, and declining domestic consumption, it becomes clear that the current trend will be even more obvious in the near future. We do not expect significant changes in export destinations, as demand from Italy and China, which are the major importers of Ukrainian rapeseed oil, remains strong.
