| dc.description.abstract | Sources of change have occurred in the domestic and world oilseed market which will affect the industry for years to come. Greater consumer awareness of saturated fat levels in foods, recent farm and trade policy, and advances in oilseed processing have had major impacts on consumption and production patterns in the United States. Ultimately, the ability of producers and food processors to adapt to these interdependent sources of change will depend upon the feasibility and availability of growing alternative oilseed crops. One such crop of particular significance in the oilseed industry is low erucic acid rapeseed, or canola. Historically, rapeseed has been a major oilseed overseas. The regions with the largest volume of production in the world are in Canada, Europe, India, and China. In the U.S., rapeseed production is negligible. However, U.S. rapeseed oil consumption, as shown in Table 1, has increased dramatically during the last several years. Worldwide, rapeseed production grew from 6% of world oilseed production in 1977/78- 1981/82 to 11% of world oilseed production in 1987/88. Record rapeseed plantings and yield in China and Europe, combined with a record yield in Canada, boosted world production to a record 22.5 million tons in 1987/88 (U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1989). In order to understand the increased imports, it is useful to know how rapeseed and rapeseed products are used. | |
