March 4, 2013

Canada's rapeseed export is at 4.18 million tonnes during the first six months (August-January) of the 2012-13 crop year, a 11.7% drop from 4.73 million tonnes in the same period during 2011-12, according to the Canadian Grain Commission.

Canada's top three buyers in current crop year were China (1.61 million tonnes), Japan (1.21 million tonnes) and Mexico (0.83 million tonnes).  

During January 2013, rapeseed exports stood at 713,000 tonnes, up 8% from 658,000 tonnes a month ago, but down 22% from the 916,200 tonnes shipped in January 2012.

Major buyers in January were China, Japan, Mexico, UAE, US, and Bangladesh.

China, the largest importer, bought 322,000 tonnes, up from 312,000 tonnes in December 2012. Japan also increased purchases to 188,000 tonnes, up from 162,000 tonnes a month ago.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has maintained its forecast of rapeseed exports at 7.2 million tonnes for 2012-13.