EU: Soya Bean Market 2025

Soya Bean Market Size in the EU

The EU soya bean market soared to $X in 2021, growing by 22% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Soya Bean Production in the EU

In value terms, soya bean production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +10.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -7.5% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 56%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

The country with the largest volume of soya bean production was Italy (X tons), comprising approx. 37% of total volume. Moreover, soya bean production in Italy exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, France (X tons), twofold. Romania (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 14% share.

In Italy, soya bean production expanded at an average annual rate of +10.4% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: France (+16.7% per year) and Romania (+16.0% per year).

In 2021, the average yield of soya beans in the European Union was estimated at X tons per ha, picking up by 4.4% on 2020 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the yield increased by 24%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the soya bean yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the total area harvested in terms of soya beans production in the European Union contracted slightly to X ha, falling by -2.1% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, the harvested area, however, posted a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 48% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Soya Bean Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of soya beans, when their volume decreased by -11.7% to X tons. Overall, exports showed a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 15%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, soya bean exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports showed a mild decrease. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands was the largest exporter of soya beans in the European Union, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was approx. 49% of total exports in 2021. Croatia (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Belgium (X tons), Romania (X tons), France (X tons) and Slovakia (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 35% share of total exports. Hungary (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to soya bean exports from the Netherlands stood at -5.1%. At the same time, Croatia (+14.2%), France (+12.2%), Slovakia (+8.2%), Romania (+6.6%) and Hungary (+5.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Croatia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +14.2% from 2012-2021. Belgium experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Croatia (+6.8 p.p.), Romania (+4 p.p.), France (+3.7 p.p.), Slovakia (+2.6 p.p.) and Hungary (+2.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the Netherlands saw its share reduced by -20.6% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the largest soya bean supplier in the European Union, comprising 46% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Croatia ($X), with a 10% share of total exports. It was followed by Belgium, with an 8.2% share.

In the Netherlands, soya bean exports plunged by an average annual rate of -5.2% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Croatia (+15.6% per year) and Belgium (-0.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in France ($X per ton) and Croatia ($X per ton), while Slovakia ($X per ton) and Hungary ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Croatia (+1.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Soya Bean Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, the amount of soya beans imported in the European Union contracted modestly to X tons, which is down by -3.6% against the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 14% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

In value terms, soya bean imports soared to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of soya bean imports in 2021 were the Netherlands (X tons), Spain (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Italy (X tons), together reaching 81% of total import. It was distantly followed by Portugal (X tons), mixing up an 8.3% share of total imports. The following importers - France (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) - each amounted to a 5.5% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Portugal (with a CAGR of +9.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest soya bean importing markets in the European Union were the Netherlands ($X), Spain ($X) and Germany ($X), together accounting for 66% of total imports. Italy, Portugal, France and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

Italy, with a CAGR of +8.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Belgium ($X per ton) and France ($X per ton), while Portugal ($X per ton) and the Netherlands ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+0.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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