EU Market Share: Who Dominates Production?
Over the 2021–2025 period, the EU-27 produced a combined 92,607.65 thousand tonnes of rapeseed. France alone accounted for 20,672.22 thousand tonnes, or 22.3% of the EU total, leading the ranking by a narrow margin. Germany followed closely with 19,629.39 thousand tonnes (21.2%), while Poland contributed 16,710.56 thousand tonnes (18.0%). These three countries together account for 61.5% of all EU rapeseed output. The annual average for the EU-27 stands at 18,521.53 thousand tonnes per year.
| Member State | Total (1 000 t) | Annual Avg (1 000 t/yr) | % of EU Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 20 672.22 | 4 134.44 | 22.3% |
| Germany | 19 629.39 | 3 925.88 | 21.2% |
| Poland | 16 710.56 | 3 342.11 | 18.0% |
| Romania | 8 067.75 | 1 613.55 | 8.7% |
| Czechia | 5 469.43 | 1 093.89 | 5.9% |
| Lithuania | 4 436.14 | 887.23 | 4.8% |
| Denmark | 3 757.91 | 751.58 | 4.1% |
| Hungary | 2 733.18 | 546.64 | 3.0% |
| Slovakia | 2 271.23 | 454.25 | 2.5% |
| Sweden | 1 758.90 | 351.78 | 1.9% |
| Latvia | 1 755.70 | 351.14 | 1.9% |
| Bulgaria | 1 368.13 | 273.63 | 1.5% |
| Spain | 1 156.99 | 231.40 | 1.2% |
| Estonia | 842.45 | 168.49 | 0.9% |
| Others | 3 577.34 | 715.47 | 3.9% |
| EU-27 Total | 92 607.65 | 18 521.53 | 100% |
Agricultural Efficiency: Yield per Hectare
While France leads in total volume, Germany achieves the highest average yield among the top three producers at 3.60 t/ha over the 2021–2025 period. France followed with 3.37 t/ha, while Poland averaged 3.16 t/ha. Several smaller-volume countries posted the highest yields overall: Ireland leads at 4.55 t/ha across its limited rapeseed area, followed by Denmark (4.12 t/ha), Belgium (3.87 t/ha), and the Netherlands (3.62 t/ha). Germany's 3.60 t/ha places it well above the broader EU average and competitive with these specialised producers.
| Member State | Avg Yield (t/ha) | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 4.55 | 4.08–4.88 |
| Denmark | 4.12 | 3.86–4.49 |
| Belgium | 3.87 | 3.37–4.49 |
| Netherlands | 3.62 | 3.02–4.41 |
| Germany | 3.60 | 3.34–3.95 |
| France | 3.37 | 2.97–3.68 |
| Poland | 3.16 | 3.07–3.24 |
| EU-27 Average | 3.32 | – |
Regional and Climatic Divides Across Europe
Rapeseed cultivation in the EU shows a stark West–East axis of concentration. Western Europe (France and Germany) alone produces 43.5% of all EU rapeseed, while Eastern European states (Poland, Romania, Hungary) add another 29.7% — together accounting for nearly three-quarters of total output. Southern European countries — Spain, Italy, and Greece — collectively produce just 1.7% of the EU total, reflecting rapeseed's preference for temperate continental climates over Mediterranean conditions. Nordic countries (Sweden and Finland) contribute 2.2%, limited by shorter growing seasons in the Baltics and Scandinavia.
| Region | Member States | Total (1 000 t) | Annual Avg (1 000 t/yr) | Share of EU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Europe | France, Germany | 40 301.61 | 8 060.32 | 43.5% |
| Eastern Europe | Poland, Romania, Hungary | 27 511.49 | 5 502.30 | 29.7% |
| Northern Europe | Sweden, Finland | 2 007.65 | 401.53 | 2.2% |
| Southern Europe | Spain, Italy, Greece | 1 559.36 | 311.87 | 1.7% |
| EU-27 Total | All 27 member states | 92 607.65 | 18 521.53 | 100% |
Temporal Trends: Market Stability vs. Volatility
EU-27 rapeseed production ranged from 16,632.20 thousand tonnes (2024) to 20,026.38 thousand tonnes (2025), a spread of 3,394 thousand tonnes over five years. France exhibited the most volatility: production surged 36.6% from 3,306.52 thousand tonnes in 2021 to 4,516.54 thousand tonnes in 2022, then declined for two consecutive years to 3,941.14 thousand tonnes in 2024, before rebounding 17.5% to 4,631.13 thousand tonnes in 2025. Germany followed a similar pattern with less amplitude, rising 22.6% in 2022 then declining to 3,631.70 thousand tonnes in 2024 before recovering 9.6% to 3,980.19 thousand tonnes in 2025. Poland showed the steadiest trajectory, fluctuating between 3,050.91 and 3,575.10 thousand tonnes — a range of just 524 thousand tonnes. Romania emerged as a notable growth story, with output rising 81% from 1,375.07 thousand tonnes in 2021 to 2,492.64 thousand tonnes in 2025.
| Year | EU-27 (1 000 t) | France | Germany | Poland | Romania |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16 946.68 | 3 306.52 | 3 504.60 | 3 050.91 | 1 375.07 |
| 2022 | 19 417.17 | 4 516.54 | 4 294.90 | 3 487.07 | 1 229.53 |
| 2023 | 19 585.22 | 4 276.89 | 4 218.00 | 3 575.10 | 1 789.67 |
| 2024 | 16 632.20 | 3 941.14 | 3 631.70 | 3 124.18 | 1 180.84 |
| 2025 | 20 026.38 | 4 631.13 | 3 980.19 | 3 473.30e | 2 492.64 |
Land Allocation: How Countries Prioritize Farmland
Over the 2021–2025 period, the EU-27 dedicated 29,141.22 thousand hectares to rapeseed cultivation. France devoted the most land: 6,147.87 thousand hectares, or 21.1% of the EU rapeseed area, averaging 1,229.57 thousand hectares per year. Germany followed with 5,450.50 thousand hectares (18.7%), while Poland allocated 5,281.47 thousand hectares (18.1%). Romania used 2,866.61 thousand hectares (9.8%), and Czechia 1,745.45 thousand hectares (6.0%). The top four countries — France, Germany, Poland, and Romania — account for 67.7% of the EU's total rapeseed farmland.
| Member State | Area (1 000 ha) | Annual Avg (1 000 ha/yr) | % of EU Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 6 147.87 | 1 229.57 | 21.1% |
| Germany | 5 450.50 | 1 090.10 | 18.7% |
| Poland | 5 281.47 | 1 056.29 | 18.1% |
| Romania | 2 866.61 | 573.32 | 9.8% |
| Czechia | 1 745.45 | 349.09 | 6.0% |
| Lithuania | 1 643.63 | 328.73 | 5.6% |
| Hungary | 967.08 | 193.42 | 3.3% |
| Denmark | 912.86 | 182.57 | 3.1% |
| Others | 4 125.75 | 825.15 | 14.2% |
| EU-27 Total | 29 141.22 | 5 828.24 | 100% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which EU country produces the most rapeseed?
France is the largest EU rapeseed producer with 20,672.22 thousand tonnes over 2021–2025 (22.3% of the EU total), followed closely by Germany at 19,629.39 thousand tonnes (21.2%).
What is the average rapeseed yield in the EU?
Among top producers, Germany achieves the highest average yield at 3.60 t/ha, while France yields 3.37 t/ha and Poland 3.16 t/ha. Ireland leads all EU countries at 4.55 t/ha.
How much land is used for rapeseed farming in the EU?
The EU dedicates approximately 5.83 million hectares per year to rapeseed, with France, Germany, and Poland using 57.9% of this total area.
Source data extracted from Eurostat dataset apro_cpsh1.
This article was generated using AI. The content is based on Eurostat data and is provided as a starting point — please verify all data with the original source.
