This week (Jan. 25-31), operation rates sharply fall with the coming of the Lunar New Year holidays. Rapeseed crush in 101 domestic mills surveyed by Cofeed has totaled 12,000 tonnes (imported rapeseed 12,000 tonnes and domestic rapeseed 0 tonne), down 16,000 tonnes or 21.43% from 28,000 tonnes last week. Meanwhile, the operation rate (capability utilization) is 3.39% this week and 5.59% last week, of which it is both 0% for domestic rapeseed; and it is 5.81% this week and 6.78% last week for imported rapeseed in coastal regions. As most mills have not resumed work under the influence of the novel coronavirus, the crush is forecast to slightly increase to 28,000 tonnes next week as some mills resume production, but will fall again to 13,000 tonnes during the Lunar New Year holidays. Due to rapeseed shortages, the overall crush remains at a relatively low level at present. 

Fig. 1: Rapeseed Weekly Crush in China (Week 1, 2018-Week 5, 2020)

Fig. 2: Rapeseed Operating Rate in China (Week 1, 2016-Week 5, 2020)