Oilseeds - Global Strategic Business Report

The global market for Oilseeds was valued at US$14.0 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$18.4 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.6% from 2024 to 2030. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, drivers, and forecasts, helping you make informed business decisions. The report includes the most recent global tariff developments and how they impact the Oilseeds market.

Global Oilseeds Market - Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

Why Are Oilseeds Gaining Strategic Importance Across Global Agricultural Supply Chains?

Oilseeds, including soybeans, rapeseed (canola), sunflower, cottonseed, groundnuts (peanuts), sesame, and flaxseed, play a foundational role in the global agri-food system due to their dual applications in edible oils and protein-rich meals for animal feed. They serve as critical inputs for food processing, livestock production, biodiesel manufacturing, and industrial applications, making them indispensable in both food security and energy transition agendas. Rising global demand for plant-based oils-driven by population growth, income rise, urbanization, and dietary diversification-is placing sustained pressure on oilseed production and trade.

Soybeans dominate the oilseed landscape, accounting for over 60% of total global oilseed output, largely due to their high oil and protein content. Major producers such as the United States, Brazil, and Argentina have scaled operations through precision agriculture, biotech seed varieties, and expansive export logistics. Simultaneously, nations like China and India, which rely heavily on imports to meet domestic demand, are focusing on self-sufficiency through policy incentives and research initiatives. Rapeseed and sunflower are also gaining prominence in Europe and the CIS region as alternatives to palm oil, especially amid rising scrutiny over deforestation and the environmental footprint of tropical oilseed cultivation.

How Are Technology and Agronomic Practices Transforming Oilseed Yields and Quality?

Modern oilseed farming is increasingly driven by advanced agronomic practices and biotechnology. Genetically modified (GM) oilseeds-especially herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant soybean and canola varieties-are now widely adopted in North and South America to improve pest control, reduce input costs, and enhance yields. Hybrid seed technology in crops such as sunflower and rapeseed is also expanding rapidly, improving drought resilience, oil content, and resistance to pathogens like downy mildew or clubroot. Seed treatment solutions, including microbial inoculants and seed coatings, are optimizing nutrient uptake and emergence rates under variable climatic conditions.

Remote sensing, drone monitoring, and AI-powered field analytics are enabling farmers to manage input application (e.g., nitrogen, potassium) and water resources more precisely across vast acreages. Variable rate seeding and real-time phenotyping are being used to assess stand uniformity and pod development stages, directly impacting harvest efficiency and oil yield quality. Post-harvest technologies-including mechanical dehulling, drying optimization, and integrated pest management in storage-are minimizing losses and improving throughput at crushing plants. As sustainability metrics become more important in procurement contracts, traceability tools such as blockchain and QR-coded seed-to-shelf tracking are increasingly being adopted by exporters and processors to meet ESG mandates and consumer transparency demands.

Which End-Use Industries and Applications Are Shaping Oilseed Market Dynamics?

The edible oil industry remains the largest consumer of oilseeds, with vegetable oils used extensively in cooking, frying, food manufacturing, and condiment production. Soybean oil leads in volume, followed by palm, sunflower, and rapeseed oils. The foodservice sector, particularly in fast-growing urban markets, significantly influences demand cycles. Additionally, the processed food industry-especially for snacks, bakery, and frozen meals-uses oilseed derivatives such as lecithin, margarine, and emulsifiers. Consumer preference for low-trans-fat, non-GMO, and cold-pressed oils is pushing product differentiation and refining innovations in the retail edible oil space.

Oilseed meals, a by-product of oil extraction, are vital in animal nutrition, particularly in poultry, swine, dairy, and aquaculture segments. Soybean meal, in particular, is a primary protein source in compound feed mixes across China, the EU, and Southeast Asia. As feed conversion efficiency becomes a metric of importance in commercial livestock operations, demand for high-protein, low-fiber meal formulations is increasing. Moreover, the rise of aquaculture is stimulating demand for canola meal and sunflower meal as alternative protein sources.

Industrial and energy applications are expanding the oilseed consumption base. Rapeseed oil and soybean oil are used in biodiesel production, supported by biofuel blending mandates in the U.S., EU, Brazil, and Indonesia. Oilseed derivatives are also being employed in bioplastics, industrial lubricants, and oleochemical manufacturing. The cosmetics and personal care industry uses oils like sesame, flaxseed, and sunflower for lotions, serums, and soaps, further diversifying the demand profile. This multi-sectoral pull is making oilseed supply chains more complex and interdependent, subject to both agroeconomic and geopolitical shocks.

What Key Forces Are Driving Market Growth, Trade Flows, and Future Investment?

The growth in the global oilseeds market is driven by several interrelated factors, including increasing global food and feed demand, biofuel expansion, and supply chain modernization. Population growth and rising per capita income in Asia and Africa are significantly increasing per capita edible oil consumption, particularly in emerging urban centers. This trend is prompting national governments to expand oilseed cultivation through subsidies, seed R&D, and import substitution policies. In parallel, biofuel policies-such as the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), Brazil’s biodiesel blend mandates, and the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED II)-are channeling substantial demand into the energy sector.

Global trade flows are another major driver. Brazil and the U.S. are expected to remain top soybean exporters, while Argentina leads in soybean meal and oil exports. China, as the largest oilseed importer, exerts massive influence on global pricing and logistics. Trade tensions, phytosanitary restrictions, and tariff regimes-such as those between the U.S. and China or Indonesia and the EU-affect planting decisions, commodity swaps, and port infrastructure investments. The Russia-Ukraine conflict disrupted sunflower oil flows and reshaped market reliance on rapeseed and soybean oil substitutes, highlighting the fragility and interconnectedness of global oilseed supply chains.

Investment in infrastructure-from inland silos and rail transport to deep-water port terminals and crushing plants-is facilitating smoother market access and export competitiveness, especially in Latin America and Eastern Europe. Multinational agribusinesses such as ADM, Cargill, Bunge, and Louis Dreyfus are expanding oilseed processing capacity and entering long-term contracts with growers for sustainable sourcing. Additionally, ESG imperatives are driving regenerative agriculture practices in oilseed cultivation, such as no-till farming, cover cropping, and carbon sequestration. These trends indicate a more integrated, digitized, and sustainability-aligned oilseed sector poised for long-term growth, innovation, and diversification.

Scope of the Report

The report analyzes the Oilseeds market, presented in terms of market value (USD). The analysis covers the key segments and geographic regions outlined below:

• Segments: Breeding Technology (Non-Transgenic Hybrid Breeding Technology, Transgenic Hybrid Breeding Technology, Herbicide Tolerant Hybrid Breeding Technology, Insect Resistant Hybrid Breeding Technology, Other Traits Breeding Technology, Open Pollinated Varieties & Hybrid Derivatives Breeding Technology); Crop (Canola Crop, Rapeseed & Mustard Crop, Soybean Crop, Sunflower Crop, Other Oilseed Crops).
• Geographic Regions/Countries: World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and Africa.

Key Insights:

• Market Growth: Understand the significant growth trajectory of the Non-Transgenic Hybrid Breeding Technology segment, which is expected to reach US$5.4 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of a 5.9%. The Transgenic Hybrid Breeding Technology segment is also set to grow at 5.1% CAGR over the analysis period.
• Regional Analysis: Gain insights into the U.S. market, valued at $3.8 Billion in 2024, and China, forecasted to grow at an impressive 8.6% CAGR to reach $3.9 Billion by 2030. Discover growth trends in other key regions, including Japan, Canada, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific.

Why You Should Buy This Report:

• Detailed Market Analysis: Access a thorough analysis of the Global Oilseeds Market, covering all major geographic regions and market segments.
• Competitive Insights: Get an overview of the competitive landscape, including the market presence of major players across different geographies.
• Future Trends and Drivers: Understand the key trends and drivers shaping the future of the Global Oilseeds Market.
• Actionable Insights: Benefit from actionable insights that can help you identify new revenue opportunities and make strategic business decisions.

Key Questions Answered:

• How is the Global Oilseeds Market expected to evolve by 2030?
• What are the main drivers and restraints affecting the market?
• Which market segments will grow the most over the forecast period?
• How will market shares for different regions and segments change by 2030?
• Who are the leading players in the market, and what are their prospects?

Report Features:

• Comprehensive Market Data: Independent analysis of annual sales and market forecasts in US$ Million from 2024 to 2030.
• In-Depth Regional Analysis: Detailed insights into key markets, including the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa.
• Company Profiles: Coverage of players such as ADM (Archer Daniels Midland), AGT Food and Ingredients, Bayer AG, Bunge Limited, Cargill Incorporated and more.
• Complimentary Updates: Receive free report updates for one year to keep you informed of the latest market developments.

Some of the 43 companies featured in this Oilseeds market report include:

• ADM (Archer Daniels Midland)
• AGT Food and Ingredients
• Bayer AG
• Bunge Limited
• Cargill Incorporated
• CHS Inc.
• COFCO Corporation
• Glanbia plc
• GrainCorp Limited
• Groupe Avril
• IOI Corporation
• Louis Dreyfus Company
• Mahyco (Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds)
• Marico Limited
• Nidera Sementes
• Olam Group
• Ruchi Soya Industries (Patanjali Foods)
• Sime Darby Plantation
• Wilmar International
• Yanglin Soybean Group

This edition integrates the latest global trade and economic shifts into comprehensive market analysis. Key updates include:

• Tariff and Trade Impact: Insights into global tariff negotiations across 180+ countries, with analysis of supply chain turbulence, sourcing disruptions, and geographic realignment. Special focus on 2025 as a pivotal year for trade tensions, including updated perspectives on the Trump-era tariffs.
• Adjusted Forecasts and Analytics: Revised global and regional market forecasts through 2030, incorporating tariff effects, economic uncertainty, and structural changes in globalization. Includes historical analysis from 2015 to 2023.
• Strategic Market Dynamics: Evaluation of revised market prospects, regional outlooks, and key economic indicators such as population and urbanization trends.
• Innovation & Technology Trends: Latest developments in product and process innovation, emerging technologies, and key industry drivers shaping the competitive landscape.
• Competitive Intelligence: Updated global market share estimates for 2025 (E), competitive positioning of major players (Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial), and refined focus on leading global brands and core players.
• Expert Insight & Commentary: Strategic analysis from economists, trade experts, and domain specialists to contextualize market shifts and identify emerging opportunities.