Rapeseed: Stocks
Why a prairie drought can empty the bins
What this tab covers How much is left and how much is held. For minerals and energy: reserves, current output, years of supply and recycling for the top five countries. For farm commodities: production, ending stocks and stocks-to-use for the top five producers (USDA, October 2026). It also covers inventories and stockpiles.Top five producers: production and stocks (USDA, 2026/27)
| Country | Production | Share | Ending stocks | Stocks-to-use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 22,500 | 22.6% | 2,199 | 9.8% |
| European Union | 19,750 | 19.8% | 2,123 | 8% |
| China | 16,200 | 16.3% | 3,909 | 18.8% |
| India | 12,400 | 12.5% | 539 | 4.3% |
| Australia | 7,800 | 7.8% | 679 | 8.7% |
| World | 99,570 | 100% | 11,600 | 11.8% |
Stockholding and policy
No recycling applies. World ending stocks of rapeseed were 10.9 Mt in 2025/26 (USDA PSD). India holds no strategic edible oil or oilseed reserve; NAFED buys mustard at MSP (Rs 6,200/quintal in RMS 2026-27, Rs 6,613 in RMS 2027-28) when mandi prices fall below it, and later sells the stock. Mustard seed futures on NCDEX have been suspended by SEBI since December 2021; the suspension of seven agri contracts was extended to 31 March 2027 (The Week/PTI, 27 March 2026). USDA puts India's seed ending stocks at 564 kt for 2025/26.
Rapeseed stores reasonably well if dried, and oil and meal can also be stocked. Stocks sit with farmers, crushers and exporters, especially in Canada after harvest. Canola stocks are tight in drought years on the prairies. Because oils are substitutable, the relevant buffer is the combined stock of all vegetable oils, including palm, soybean and sunflower oil. Biodiesel mandates make demand less flexible and stocks more important.