Rapeseed Remains the Dominant Raw Material for Biodiesel Production in Germany

(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP)) Germany is the largest producer of biodiesel in Europe. According to the latest data from the Association of the German Biofuel Industry (VDB), a total of around 3.6 million tonnes of biodiesel were produced in Germany in the calendar year 2024. This corresponds to an annual increase of 100,000 tonnes.

More than half of the production volume comes from rapeseed. Biodiesel from rapeseed oil accounted for approximately 53.1% in 2024. Used cooking oils ranked second with a share of 24.1%, followed by soybeans with 15.0%. Animal fats have only been eligible as a raw material in German biofuel production since 2021 and currently account for 2%. Palm oil, on the other hand, no longer plays a role in domestic biodiesel production and fuel use, as biodiesel or HVO produced from this tropical oil will no longer count towards meeting the greenhouse gas quota since 2023.

The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) estimates that approximately 1.45 million tons of rapeseed oil were processed into biodiesel in Germany in 2024. This amount of oil roughly corresponds to the 2024 rapeseed harvest, according to the promotion union. The German biodiesel industry is thus the most important customer for domestic rapeseed cultivation. The demand for rapeseed oil for fuel production consequently also ensures the production of approximately 2.2 million tons of rapeseed meal, by far the most important non-GMO protein source in dairy cattle feed today. This value chain is a prime example of a networked bioeconomy with market potential, because rapeseed oil and its methyl esters could also play a greater role in the so-called molecular revolution in the chemical industry in the future. From UFOP's point of view, it should be emphasized that this transformation must be considered and promoted within the framework of the national and EU bioeconomy strategy, the association demands, and stresses that the corresponding harvest quantity is in principle available at any time as a "reserve" for the food market. READ MORE

Excerpt from Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants: With the onset of rapeseed blossom, Germany is once again shining in brilliant yellow: Over 1.11 million hectares of winter rapeseed are in full bloom these weeks. This underscores rapeseed's central role in German arable farming in 2025. The yellow fields are more than just a beautiful spring scene – they are a visible expression of a diverse and future-oriented agriculture. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the sown area increased by 2.3 percent compared to the previous year. This means that Germany remains one of the leading rapeseed-producing nations in Europe – directly behind France with around 1.27 million hectares of rapeseed for the 2025 harvest. In total, around 5.8 million hectares in the EU are used for this central arable crop.

Winter rapeseed is a true all-rounder: Rapeseed produces high-quality cooking oil, animal feed, and climate-friendly biofuels. In animal husbandry, the protein-rich rapeseed meal is a GMO-free alternative to imported soy. Rapeseed oil is also the most purchased cooking oil in Germany. New uses are also coming into focus: Thanks to modern extraction technologies, rapeseed protein will soon be usable in human nutrition – for example, in meat alternatives or sports nutrition.

Rapeseed processing is increasingly becoming an innovation platform, for example, for the further development of rapeseed protein as a new food ingredient. Rapeseed oil, in turn, can be used to produce biodegradable lubricants, surfactants, cosmetic ingredients, and raw materials for the chemical industry – as well as packaging materials and industrial applications. Thus, the plant, with its green carbon, contributes to the development of a climate-friendly bioeconomy – with a regionally anchored value chain and a European perspective.

The success story of winter rapeseed in Europe is closely linked to German breeding research. Through targeted selection, continuous quality improvement, and innovative technology, a former niche crop has been developed into a high-performance arable crop of global importance. Today, winter rapeseed is the world's second most important oilseed after soybeans – with an expected global yield of around 87.2 million tons (IGC, 2024/25).

Rapeseed not only brings economic stability to farms, but also enriches crop rotations, improves humus formation, and is a valuable food source for insects during its flowering period. The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) and OVID – Association of the Oilseed Processing Industry in Germany – are therefore calling for targeted land development: 10 percent each of arable land for oilseed crops and grain legumes – for greater diversity, greater resilience, and more added value in rural areas.

"Rapeseed is a key crop in domestic agriculture. It represents food security, energy supply, and biodiversity all at once," says Stephan Arens, Managing Director of UFOP. "Especially in a time of geopolitical and climatic uncertainty, rapeseed demonstrates how modern agriculture can be part of the solution." READ MORE