12 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Rapeseed Oil / Canola Oil
12 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Rapeseed Oil / Canola Oil
12 World’s Biggest Country Producers of
Rapeseed Oil / Canola Oil - According
to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) in 2026, there are 12
World’s Biggest Country Producers of Rapeseed Oil or Canola Oil in 2023.
Basically, this oil can be used as cooking oils, lubricant (machinery), and diesel fuel.
Commonly, the terms of canola oil and rapeseed oil are different,
especially in the North America region. But in Europe, they only know rapeseed
oil. In Strict aspects especially in the containment of biochemicals in the
North America region, Canola Oil basically must contain less than 2% erucic
acid and strict limits on glucosinolates and it is used in the food-grade
product. Meanwhile, the rapeseed oil is used for chemicals, biofuel, and
lubricants. Meanwhile in Europe, the term is officially used as the rapeseed
oil. Most of the farmers in Europe only plant a breeding type of rapeseed which
has zero erucic acid and zero bitter glucosinolates.
Based
on the biological taxonomy, the rapeseed crops can be classified into Order:
Brassicales; Family: Brassicaceae; Genus: Brassica; Species: B. napus. Based on
these classifications, this crop has a close relationship with Cabbage (B.
oleracea var. oleracea), Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var.
Botrytis), Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), rocket salad/arugula (Eruca
sativa), garden cress (Lepidium sativum), and watercress (Nasturtium
officinale).
The Statistical World’s Production of Rapeseed Oil/ Canola Oil From 1961 to 2023
|
Years |
World's Production of
Rapeseed Oil/ Canola Oil |
|
(Tons) |
|
|
1961 |
1,100,778 |
|
1962 |
1,165,756 |
|
1963 |
1,123,858 |
|
1964 |
1,082,996 |
|
1965 |
1,540,293 |
|
1966 |
1,532,339 |
|
1967 |
1,642,493 |
|
1968 |
1,813,620 |
|
1969 |
1,711,590 |
|
1970 |
1,874,325 |
|
1971 |
2,375,929 |
|
1972 |
2,317,944 |
|
1973 |
2,582,788 |
|
1974 |
2,441,633 |
|
1975 |
2,658,737 |
|
1976 |
2,683,679 |
|
1977 |
2,716,464 |
|
1978 |
2,942,722 |
|
1979 |
3,541,369 |
|
1980 |
3,687,270 |
|
1981 |
4,408,894 |
|
1982 |
4,676,405 |
|
1983 |
5,001,756 |
|
1984 |
5,462,493 |
|
1985 |
6,238,425 |
|
1986 |
6,444,942 |
|
1987 |
7,162,512 |
|
1988 |
7,615,828 |
|
1989 |
7,882,554 |
|
1990 |
8,589,610 |
|
1991 |
8,901,478 |
|
1992 |
9,199,867 |
|
1993 |
8,977,333 |
|
1994 |
9,858,258 |
|
1995 |
10,706,577 |
|
1996 |
10,970,247 |
|
1997 |
11,690,731 |
|
1998 |
11,540,511 |
|
1999 |
12,829,089 |
|
2000 |
13,501,533 |
|
2001 |
12,500,086 |
|
2002 |
13,103,099 |
|
2003 |
12,451,022 |
|
2004 |
15,021,901 |
|
2005 |
16,762,316 |
|
2006 |
18,093,700 |
|
2007 |
17,991,643 |
|
2008 |
19,254,974 |
|
2009 |
21,375,493 |
|
2010 |
23,311,617 |
|
2011 |
22,778,631 |
|
2012 |
24,509,145 |
|
2013 |
23,808,713 |
|
2014 |
25,809,587 |
|
2015 |
26,208,449 |
|
2016 |
24,705,050 |
|
2017 |
23,900,761 |
|
2018 |
24,482,739 |
|
2019 |
24,052,884 |
|
2020 |
25,834,122 |
|
2021 |
27,275,620 |
|
2022 |
27,159,727 |
|
2023 |
31,399,693 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
|
Statistically,
from 1961 to 2023, the statistical world’s production of rapeseed oil or canola
oil showed increasing trends. In the year of 1961, the world’s production of
rapeseed oil was just 1.1 million tons. After more than 60 years, precisely in
2023, the world’s production of rapeseed oil or canola oil reached 31 million
tons. Overall, in the past of 60 years, the world’s production of rapeseed oil
or canola oil has grown into more than 30 million tons.
The Statistical World’s Production of Rapeseed Oil based on The Continental Region
|
Continental Region |
Production of Rapeseed
Oil/ Canola Oil in 2023 |
|
(Tons) |
|
|
Africa |
87,511 |
|
Americas |
5,999,726 |
|
Asia |
10,937,578 |
|
Europe |
13,820,478 |
|
Oceania |
554,400 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
|
According
to the data of FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) in 2026, based on
the continent regions in 2023, the rapeseed oil production has spread across
the countries. Europe is still the biggest region of Rapeseed oil with
production around 13.8 million tons. Asia regions in the second biggest region
with output of rapeseed oil production reached 10.9 million tonnes. In the
third position, the American region can produce 5.9 million tons. The rest of
regions with minor production, Oceania can produce 554 thousand tons and Afrika
with 87 thousand tons.
More
specifically in the country regions, there are some countries with the biggest
production of Rapeseed Oil production. Here is The Rank of 12 World’s
Biggest Country Producers of Rapeseed Oil in 2023.
The Rank of 12 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Rapeseed Oil/ Canola Oil
|
Rank |
Countries |
Production of Rapeseed
Oil in 2023 |
|
(tons) |
||
|
1 |
Canada |
4,422,368 |
|
2 |
China, mainland |
4,326,300 |
|
3 |
Germany |
4,181,589 |
|
4 |
India |
4,113,000 |
|
5 |
France |
1,886,800 |
|
6 |
Russian Federation |
1,583,600 |
|
7 |
Poland |
1,481,900 |
|
8 |
United States of America |
863,000 |
|
9 |
Japan |
856,536 |
|
10 |
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland |
732,000 |
|
11 |
Belgium |
664,800 |
|
12 |
Pakistan |
614,000 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
||
The Brief Description of 12 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Rapeseed Oil
1.Canada
Canada still become the world’s biggest
country producer of Rapeseed Oil in 2023. According to the FAO Statistical Corporate Database, the production of Rapeseed
Oil in 2023 reached 4,422,368 tons. Geographically, in terms of agricultural
aspects of Canola farming, Canada remains the world’s largest producer and
exporter of canola. Geographically, there are some regions in Canada becoming
the main cultivation area of rapeseed / canola. These regions are Saskatchewan,
Alberta, Manitoba, and British Columbia. In Canada, Canola Oil and Rapeseed oil
have a different function. If the oil contains
less than 2% of erucic acid, it is included in Canola Oil. Meanwhile, if the
contain of elucic acid is more than 2%, it is included in rapeseed oil.
Functionally, Canola Oil can be found in grocery stores and commercial
kitchens used as cooking oil. Rapeseed Oil is strictly used for
industrial purposes, such as automotive lubricants, newspaper inks, and
biodiesel. In terms of the canola/ rapeseed
oil industry in Canada, there are some leading companies driving the Canadian
canola and rapeseed oil industry, namely Richardson International, Cargill,
Viterra, Bunge, Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC).
2.China, mainland
China
is the 2nd world’s biggest country producer of Rapeseed Oil in 2023.
According to the FAO Statistical Corporate Database, the production of Rapeseed
oil from Mao Zedong’s country reached 4,326,300 tons. Geographically, there are
many provinces in China that become the main region of Rapeseed cultivation.
Henan, Jiangsu, Hunan, Sichuan, Anhui, and Hubei are some of the major areas of
Rapeseed cultivation in China. Statistically, these regions above contribute
more than 60%. To nationwide production. Meanwhile, as one of the world’s
largest consumers of rapeseed oil, China still imported rapeseed oil from
Russia, contributing around 60% of all the rapeseed oil imported into
China. COFCO (China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation),
Sinograin (China Grain Reserves Group) are some of the companies which deal
with the rapeseed oil or canola oil in China.
3. Germany
According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database
(FAOSTAT) in 2026, The production of rapeseed oil in Germany reached 4,181,589
tons in 2023. Contrary
to North American regions which differentiate between rapeseed and Canola oil,
all the rapeseed is universally called Rapsöl (rapeseed oil). Specifically, all
rapeseed plants grown and processed in Germany are "00-Raps" (double-zero rapeseed) and this means that it is a breeding type which has a zero erucic
acid and zero bitter glucosinolates. Specifically, in the Germany grocery
store, especially for cooking oil, the rapeseed oil is differentiated based on
processed aspects, namely Raffiniertes Rapsöl (Refined) and Kaltgepresstes
Rapsöl (Cold-Pressed). Because huge demand of rapeseed oil for food sector
and the biofuel industry, there are some agribusiness companies managing the
rapeseed oil industry in Germany, including Cargill, Louis Dreyfus Company
(LDC), Power Oil Rostock (GETREIDE AG), O. & L. Sels.
4.India
India is the 4th world’s biggest country
producer of Rapeseed Oil in 2023. According to the FAO Statistical Corporate
Database, the production of Rapeseed Oil from Mahatma Gandhi’s country reached
4,113,000 tons. Geographically, there are many regions of rapeseed cultivation
in India. Statistically, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh are the main regions
of cultivation of rapeseed in India. The three states above contribute more
than 60% of nationwide production. Meanwhile, because
of the deficiencies of its production, India still imported all true canola oil
from countries like Canada, Australia, or the UAE.
5.France
France is the 5th world’s biggest country
producer of Rapeseed Oil in 2023. According to the FAO Statistical Corporate
Database, the production of Rapeseed Oil from France reached 1,886,800 tons.
There are some regions of rapeseed cultivation. These regions of Rapeseed cultivation
include Centre-Val de Loire, Lie-de-France, Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine,
and Bourgogne-Franche-Comte. In French language, the
rapeseed is called Colza, and the rapeseed oil is called Huile de
Colza. In Agronomical aspects, French farmers just planted
"double-zero" (00) seed varieties of rapeseed. Specifically, the characteristic of this "double-zero" plant free
of bitter glucosinolates and zero erucic acid. Furthermore, in French
supermarkets and kitchens, the rapeseed oil for food and dish usage can be differentiated into Huile de Colza Vierge
(Virgin / Cold-Pressed) and Huile de Colza Raffinée (Refined). In
rapeseed industries in France, The French colza market is largely dominated by
The Avril Group, owning Lesieur, which is arguably the most famous and dominant
brand of cooking oil found in French supermarkets, and Saipol, Europe’s largest
biodiesel producer, running massive crushing and esterification facilities
across France (such as in Rouen and Grand-Couronne).
6.Russian Federation
The Russian Federation is the 6th biggest
producer of Rapeseed Oil in 2023. According to FAO Statistical Corporate
Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Rapeseed Oil of Russia reached 1,583,600
tons. Geographically, there are many regions of Rapeseed in Russia. Siberia,
Centra, Volga are some of the main regions of Rapeseed in Russia. In terms of genetic aspects in rapeseed cultivar, Russian
farmers just plant the "double-zero" (00) variety, containing low in
erucic acid and free of bitter glucosinolates. Specifically, beside Canada, Russia became the 2nd world's largest
exporter of rapeseed oil with a destination
market to China. In Russia, some of the companies that deal with the rapeseed oil
industry include SODRUGESTVO Group, Orelmaslo, Flexitank Logistics (e.g.,
Evropak).
7. Poland
As one of the world’s largest country
producers of rapeseed oil, the production of rapeseed oil from Poland reached
1,481,900 tons in 2023. In Poland,
rapeseed oil is known as “olej
rzepakowy”. Commonly, like other countries, the
usage of rapeseed oil or canola oil is driven by food sectors and biofuel. Geographically, in Poland, the
Rapeseed plant can be found mainly in some Voivodeship/ province including
Lower Silesia with cultivation area around 129.1 thousand hectare (ha),
Wielkopolska (104 thousand ha) and West Pomerania (115.5 thousand ha)
(Beldycka-Borawska, 2023). In terms of industrial rapeseed in Poland, there are
some major companies drives the rapeseed oil industry in Poland including Bunge
Polska (formerly Zakłady Tłuszczowe "Kruszwica"), Archer Daniels
Midland (ADM), Komagra Sp. z o.o., Woźniak Group (Best Oil / Worol), Mosso
Kewpie Poland.
8.United States of America
United States of America (USA) is the 8th
world’s biggest country producer of Rapeseed Oil in 2023. According to the FAO
Statistical Corporate Database, the production of Rapeseed Oil in the USA
reached 863,000 tons. Geographically, North Dakota became the main area of
Canola cultivation in the United States of America (USA). This state
contributes more than 70% of nationwide production. Meanwhile,
the minor cultivation region of Rapeseed can be found in Washington, Montana,
Idaho, and Minnesota. Functionally, in the USA, Rapeseed oil and canola oil are
used for biofuel and cooking oil. In terms of industrial aspects, some leading
companies in the USA which manage the rapeseed oil, namely Archer Daniels
Midland (ADM), CHS Inc., Cargill, Bunge, The Scoular Company.
9.Japan
Japan is the 9th world’s biggest country
producer of Rapeseed Oil in 2023. According to the FAO Statistical Corporate
Database, the production of Rapeseed Oil in Japan reached 856,536 tons.
Geographically, based on the cultivation region of Rapeseed, the main area of cultivation
is located in Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kyushu, and Chubu. Meanwhile,
the production of domestic rapeseed cannot fulfill the domestic needs, so Japan
still imports raw canola seed from other countries, especially from Canada and
Australia, bringing in well over 2 million metric tons annually. Structurally,
related to the rapeseed oil industry in Japan,
over 80% of Japan's total vegetable oil production including rapeseed oil is
controlled by three corporations, namely Nisshin Oillio Group, J-Oil Mills, and
Showa Sangyo.
10.United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland are the 10th biggest country producers of Rapeseed Oil in
2023. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) reached 732,000
tons. Because of declining production, the UK has
become highly reliant on importing over 1 million metric tons of raw rapeseed
annually, often from Europe and Australia. Geographically, in this
country, Rapeseed cultivation can be found in the East of England, East
Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, Southeast, Southwest, and West Midland. In
terms of the rapeseed industry, some of the companies that manage the rapeseed
oil in the United Kingdom are Archer Daniels Midland
(ADM), Cargill, United Oilseeds.
11.Belgium
Belgium is the 11th biggest country
producer of Rapeseed Oil in 2023. According to FAO Statistical Corporate
Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Rapeseed from Belgium reached 664,800
tons. Because of the insufficiency of rapeseed
production, Belgium still imports massively of raw rapeseed and crude oil
mostly from France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Functionally, a
massive percentage of the rapeseed crushed in Belgium
is used for Biofuel with some of the leading
companies in the rapeseed oil industry in
Belgium, namely Cargill, Vandemoortele, Group Vandamme, Louis Dreyfus Company
(LDC).
12.Pakistan
Pakistan is the 12th world’s biggest
country producer of Rapeseed Oil in 2023. According to the FAO Statistical
Corporate Database, the production of Rapeseed Oil from Pakistan reached
614,000 tons. Related to industrial conditions, Pakistan
faces a severe deficit in edible oil production, only fulfilling 8% to 11% of
its total edible oil requirement domestically. With this condition, to bridge
the gap, Pakistan must import the canola oil from Australia, supplying almost
99% of Pakistan's canola imports.
Histogram Rank of 12 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Rapeseed Oil/ Canola Oil
Table Rank of 12 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Rapeseed Oil/ Canola Oil
Bibliography of 12 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Rapeseed Oil
FAOSTAT.
2026. Production of Oil, rapeseed: top 10 producers2023. FAO Statistical
Corporate Database (FAOSTAT). Accessed via https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize on January 11th, 2026.
Beldycka-Borawska, Aneta, 2023.
"Changes in the Production of Rapeseed in Poland After Accession to the
European Union," Roczniki (Annals), Polish Association of Agricultural
Economists and Agribusiness - Stowarzyszenie Ekonomistow Rolnictwa e Agrobiznesu
(SERiA), vol. 2023(4).