Rapeseed oil: classification, properties and applications

Rapeseed oil is a liquid vegetable product obtained from rapeseed (Brassica napus, Brassica campestris) by pressing or extraction. It is one of the most important oilseed crops in the world, ranking third in production volume among vegetable oils after palm and soybean oil. Rapeseed oil is a versatile product: it is used for direct human consumption, as a raw material for the food industry, and for the production of biodiesel, technical lubricants and feed meal.

Chemical Nature and Fatty Acid Composition

Rapeseed oil is characterised by a high content of unsaturated fatty acids and a low content of saturated fats. The fatty acid composition depends on the rapeseed variety. Modern food varieties (so-called "00" or Canola varieties) contain no more than 2% erucic acid and low levels of glucosinolates. In the composition of such oil, oleic acid predominates (about 60–65%), linoleic acid (about 20%) and linolenic acid (about 8–10%) are also present. High-erucic varieties (traditional technical) may contain up to 40–50% erucic acid, which makes them unsuitable for food purposes but valuable for industrial use.

Rapeseed oil also contains phospholipids, tocopherols (vitamin E), phytosterols and trace amounts of glucosinolates. It was the presence of erucic acid and glucosinolates that historically limited the food use of rapeseed oil, but breeding has created safe varieties that now dominate the market.

Classification, Grades and Standards

In Russia and CIS countries, requirements for rapeseed oil are established by several standards. The main one is GOST 31759-2012 "Rapeseed oil. Specifications", which applies to oil intended for food and industrial purposes. According to the standard, depending on the processing method and quality level, rapeseed oil is divided into the following grades:

• Refined deodorised highest grade — for direct human consumption and industrial food production.

• Refined deodorised first grade — for direct human consumption and industrial food production.

• Refined non-deodorised — for industrial processing.

• Unrefined — for industrial processing.

There is also GOST R 53457-2009, which establishes similar requirements for rapeseed oil, and GOST 8988-2002, which classifies oil by purpose into grades: R (for industrial processing with refining and deodorisation), SK (for the production of salomas and cooking fats), P (for supply to retail and food products) and T (for technical purposes).

Key physicochemical quality indicators include: acid value (not more than 0.30–0.40 mg KOH/g for refined oil and not more than 6.0 mg KOH/g for unrefined), mass fraction of non-fatty impurities, mass fraction of phosphorus, anisidine value and colour. The content of pesticides, toxic elements, radionuclides and aflatoxin B1 must not exceed the levels established by sanitary norms.

Production Technology

Rapeseed oil production includes several stages. Rapeseed is cleaned, crushed and subjected to moisture-heat treatment (to inactivate enzymes such as myrosinase). The oil is then extracted by two main methods: pressing (cold or hot) and extraction using organic solvents. After extraction, the oil undergoes refining stages: hydration (removal of phospholipids), neutralisation (removal of free fatty acids), bleaching (removal of pigments) and deodorisation (removal of volatile compounds that impart odour).

By-products of processing are rapeseed cake (after pressing, contains more residual oil) and rapeseed meal (after extraction, contains less fat but more protein). Both products are valuable feed components, especially for dairy cattle, and serve as an alternative to soybean meal.

Applications

Food consumption. Refined deodorised rapeseed oil is used for direct human consumption and as an ingredient for the production of margarines, mayonnaise, sauces, confectionery and bakery products. Due to its balanced fatty acid composition and low saturated fat content, it is considered one of the healthiest vegetable oils.

Biodiesel production. In Europe, rapeseed oil is the main feedstock for biodiesel production (fatty acid methyl esters). Both food and technical oil are used for these purposes. Rapeseed biodiesel is used as a renewable motor fuel.

Feed production. Rapeseed meal and cake serve as high-protein feed for farm animals, especially for cattle. The protein content in meal reaches 35–40%. However, due to the presence of glucosinolates, inclusion rates in rations are limited, especially for monogastric animals.

Technical and industrial purposes. High-erucic rapeseed oil is used for the production of lubricants, hydraulic fluids, soap, paints, varnishes and bioplastics. It also finds application in the leather, textile and metallurgical industries.

Safety and Storage

Rapeseed oil is a food product, but for people with individual intolerance or allergy to rapeseed components, it may pose a risk. Refined oil is stored in closed, darkened rooms at a temperature not exceeding 25 °C and a relative humidity of not more than 75%. Unrefined oil has a shorter shelf life due to its tendency to oxidise. Oil is a combustible material, so fire safety measures must be observed during storage.

Market and Trends

The global rapeseed oil market demonstrates steady growth. According to USDA estimates, global rapeseed oil production in the 2025/26 season amounted to about 35.1 million tonnes, approximately 1.4 million tonnes more than in the previous season. The largest producer and consumer is the European Union (consumption about 10.1 million tonnes), followed by China (9.9 million tonnes) and India (4.1 million tonnes). The USA is the largest importer (3.0 million tonnes), partly for biofuel production. China imports 2.2 million tonnes, but the trade conflict with Canada (the largest exporter) has led to a reorientation of supplies.

Russia is actively increasing production and exports of rapeseed oil. According to Oleoscope, in 2025 production reached 1.55 million tonnes (+20.5% to 2024), and exports amounted to about 1.5 million tonnes (+29.7%). The key buyer is China, which accounted for 90% of Russian exports (1.4 million tonnes). In the first half of 2026, rapeseed oil exports from Russia reached 462 thousand tonnes (+9%), more than 88% of which were directed to China.

Key industry trends include: growing demand for rapeseed oil for biodiesel production in Europe and the USA, expansion of food use (as a healthy alternative to other oils), and increased production and exports from Russia and CIS countries. Producers with access to quality raw materials and modern refining capacities occupy stable competitive positions.

Conclusion

Rapeseed oil remains a strategically important product of the global agro-industrial complex, combining the functions of a food product, feedstock for biodiesel and a feed component. Understanding the classification according to GOST 31759-2012 and GOST 8988-2002, the fatty acid composition (including erucic acid content), refining technologies and applications is the basis for competent selection of oil for specific purposes — from food production to biodiesel and technical needs.