Browse Data and Analysis

On March 31, 2022, the European Commission (EC) approved three genetically engineered (GE) crops (1 soybean, 1 rapeseed, and 1 cotton) and renewed the authorization for 1 cotton crop for food and feed imports. The three authorizations and one renewal were published in the European Union’s Official Journal on April 4 and 7, 2022, and they remain valid for 10 years.

For marketing year (MY) 2022/23 Post projects continued expansion of soybean planted acreage to 1.225 million hectares (HA) and production of 2.8 million metric tons (MMT).

Canola ending stocks are forecast to close marketing year (MY) 2021/22 at just 15 percent of the five-year average, driven by reduced yield due to drought and strong global demand for oilseeds. Assuming a return to average yields, canola exports are forecast to nearly double in MY 2022/23, driven by strong global demand for oilseeds and a rebuilding of exportable supplies.

Marketing year 2020/21 was another record year for U.S.-origin soybean exports to Egypt. The United States, with 2.53 MMT in exports, was Egypt’s largest supplier of soybeans. Egypt’s soybean imports in marketing year (MY) 2022/23 (October-September) are forecast at 4.0 million metric tons (MMT), up 400,000 MT from the MY 2021/22 estimate.

A number of factors have converged over the last 18 months to send global agricultural commodity prices to near-record levels. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – and the potential loss of Ukrainian exports – was the latest development to push commodity prices higher.

The Philippines is the largest market for U.S. soybean meal (SBM) and a top coconut oil exporter. The country is also a major palm oil market for neighboring ASEAN countries. The loosening of COVID-related restrictions and the corresponding economic rebound are expected to support greater demand for soybean meal.

South Africa experienced an upward trend in oilseed production (soybeans and sunflower seeds) driven largely by rising oilseed prices, higher yielding cultivars, and a local demand-pull from investments in new oilseed processing plants.

Taiwan’s soybean imports are projected to reach 2.63 and 2.65 MMT in MY2021/22 and MY 2022/23. Soybean import demand will be buoyed by steady feed demand as well as exports and demand for soybean oil. In MY 2020/21, Taiwan’s COVID-19 control restrictions in Q2-Q3 had some negative impact on demand from the HRI sector, especially for soybean oil and palm oil which are favored in commercial use.

Marketing Year (MY) 2022/23 soybean imports are expected to increase 5 percent from a slow import growth in MY2021/22, driven by the recovery in hotel and food service sector. Palm oil production in MY2021/22 and MY2022/23 is expected to continue the upward trend.

India’s oilseeds production in marketing year (MY) 2022/23 (October-September) is expected to extend its momentum and reach 42.1 million metric tons (MMT), a one percent increase over the MY 2021/22 crop. Both rising animal feed demand and the anticipated growth in oilseed supply will further increase oil meal production by two percent to 20.7 million metric tons.

In MY 2021/22, profit margins of Japanese soybean crushing surpassed those of canola crushing. Meanwhile, as hotel, restaurant, and institutional service industries (HRI) began to recover from the effects of the COVID pandemic, demand for soybean oil spiked as canola oil demand dropped with less home cooking than during the peak crisis period.

Australian oilseed production, dominated by canola, is expected to be strong again in marketing year (MY) 2022/23, after big crops in MY 2021/22. Canola production is forecast in MY 2022/23 at 4.7 million metric tons (MMT), down from the record-busting crop estimated at 6.35 MMT in MY 2021/22, but if realized would still be the second largest crop in history.