Rapeseed, Sunflower, Soybean: Understanding Oil Plants

Oil plants hold an important place in our product range. Here’s an overview of the three most in-demand crops.

Rapeseed

Sown in late August, rapeseed is harvested the following summer. It’s the leading vegetable oil crop grown in France, used both for food and for biodiesel production. The seed is crushed to extract oil and meal, the latter valued as animal feed.

Sunflower

Grown in spring and harvested in late summer, sunflower is valued for its drought tolerance and relatively low input requirements. Its oil is widely used in cooking, and its meal is a solid protein source for livestock.

Soybean

Protein-rich soybean is increasingly grown in France as part of efforts to reduce reliance on imports. Non-GMO, it’s particularly sought after for animal feed and certain quality-focused supply chains.

Other crops we offer

Our range also includes flax, mustard, poppy seed, turnip rape and olives, in more limited volumes. See our Oil Plants category for our current availability.