China imports less rapeseed than previously expected
China’s rapeseed imports are declining due to anti-dumping duties on Canadian canola. Australia may resume shipments, while demand for rapeseed and rapeseed oil remains high, especially for aquaculture and cooking.
The Foreign Agricultural Service of the US Department of Agriculture (FAS USDA) has reduced its forecast for
rapeseed imports to China in the 2025/2026 season from 4.1 million tons to 3.1 million tons, and in the 2024/2025 season from 4.0 million tons to 4.5 million tons.
The main factor that influenced the reduction of both forecasts was the trade dispute between Canada and China.
Canada has been China’s largest canola supplier for the past two decades. However, in August 2025, Beijing announced a temporary anti-dumping duty of 75.8% on canola imports. This duty must be paid upon import but will be collected as a deposit until a final determination is made. On September 5, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced an extension of the investigation until March 9, 2026, due to the complexity of the case. This would potentially allow for the presentation of new evidence that could lead to a different final decision. The temporary duty will remain in effect, effectively halting future imports of Canadian canola.
In March 2025, China imposed anti-dumping duties of 100% on Canadian canola oil and canola meal.
China is now working to resume imports of canola from Australia, which it has blocked since 2020 due to concerns about blackleg, a fungal disease of canola.
China’s COFCO has reportedly begun test shipments from Australia to assess the effectiveness of new cleaning procedures, although as of July 2025, Australian canola shipments were not yet included in official import data.
Demand for rapeseed in China, particularly from the growing aquaculture sector, remains high, and a number of companies have invested in processing imported rapeseed. Rapeseed oil is popular in some regional culinary traditions, and demand is high when prices are competitive.
Rapeseed imports in the first nine months of 2024/25 (October-September) totaled 4.24 million tonnes, 3.9% higher than the same period last season. Some importers attempted to expedite purchases of Canadian canola in anticipation of a decision that could close the market.
Canada was the main supplier of canola, accounting for nearly 97% of China’s total imports during the period.
China’s rapeseed oil imports in the first ten months of the 2024/2025 season totaled 1.88 million tons, 6% more than in the same period last season. Russia is China’s primary supplier of rapeseed oil, accounting for nearly 60%. For the entire season, imports could reach 2.0 million tons.
To Read more about Edible Oil News continue reading Agriinsite.com
Source : Ukr Agro Consult
