Rapeseed 2018 Price Trends, How Much Oil One Jin Yields, and High-Oil-Producing Regions

Rapeseed, also known as rutabaga seed, is one of China's main oilseed crops and nectar-source crops, and its seed is one of the main varieties of raw material for extracting oil. So what were the rapeseed price trends in 2018? How much oil can one jin yield? Which regions produce rapeseed with high oil content?

What were the rapeseed price trends in 2018?

As domestic summer-harvest rapeseed sales are nearly exhausted and aquaculture seasonally exits the market, domestic rapeseed crushing plants are gradually entering a shutdown cycle. The crushing profit margin on domestically imported rapeseed is slim, further dampening the enthusiasm of coastal regions' imported rapeseed crushing plants to start up operations, and domestic rapeseed meal inventory has decreased. On the demand side, before the Spring Festival, China is in the peak season for pig farming consumption, and some large domestic enterprises have the habit of winter-storing rapeseed meal. Overall, the fundamentals support rapeseed meal continuing a relatively strong trend.

The chart below shows recent rapeseed prices:

How much oil can one jin of rapeseed yield?

It mainly depends on the quality of the rapeseed and the quality of the oil pressing equipment. According to national standards, grade 1 has an oil content of 40%, grade 2 has an oil content of 39%, grade 3 has an oil content of 38%, and grade 4 has an oil content of 37%. Generally speaking, one jin of rapeseed can yield about 4 liang, and good-quality rapeseed can exceed 4 liang.

Which regions produce rapeseed with high oil content?

Divided by rapeseed sowing season, China's rapeseed can be classified into autumn-winter-sown rapeseed (harvested in summer) and spring-sown rapeseed (harvested in autumn). Autumn-winter-sown rapeseed is generally planted from October to November each year and harvested from May to June the following year; spring-sown rapeseed is generally planted from April to May each year and harvested from September to October of the same year. Winter rapeseed accounts for more than 90% of both area and production, mainly concentrated in the Yangtze River Basin, while spring rapeseed is concentrated in the Northeast and Northwest regions, with the Hulunbuir area of Inner Mongolia being the most concentrated.