Oilseeds and Corn Imports on the Rise
Compared to the 2023/24 marketing year, the EU’s imports have grown for several key commodities:
Rapeseed: Imports rose by 3% to reach 2.6 million tons. Of this volume, 1.8 million tons came from Ukraine, 474 thousand tons from Australia, and 113 thousand tons from Canada.
Soybeans: Imports increased by 11% to 5.6 million tons, with 2.4 million tons sourced from Brazil, 2.3 million tons from the United States, and 570 thousand tons from Ukraine.
Sunflower Seeds: Imports grew by 20% to 295 thousand tons, of which 180 thousand tons were imported from Moldova, 44 thousand tons from Serbia, and 24 thousand tons from Ukraine.
Corn: Imports rose by 11% to 8.8 million tons, with 4.7 million tons coming from Ukraine, 1.6 million tons from Brazil, and 1.3 million tons from the United States.
However, not all trends point upward. Sunflower oil imports to the EU in the 2024/25 marketing year decreased by 14% to 897 thousand tons, of which 840 thousand tons were supplied from Ukraine.
Declines in Grain Exports
While oilseed imports have grown, the EU’s grain exports have declined compared to the same period last year:
Wheat: Exports fell by 29% to 10.2 million tons. The largest recipients were Nigeria (1.7 million tons), Morocco (999 thousand tons), the United Kingdom (803 thousand tons), Egypt (691 thousand tons), and Algeria (683 thousand tons).
Barley: Exports dropped by 35% to 2 million tons, with 502 thousand tons delivered to Saudi Arabia, 306 thousand tons to China, and 262 thousand tons to Algeria.
Implications
These shifts in trade patterns underscore changing dynamics in global supply chains. The EU’s increased reliance on oilseed imports, especially from Ukraine, Brazil, and the U.S., suggests a strategic diversification of sources. Meanwhile, reduced grain exports indicate a potential rebalancing of the EU’s grain markets and competitive pressures from other global suppliers. These trends will continue to shape European agri-food markets and influence future trade policies.
