Rapeseed oil is gaining ground in Irish supermarkets as supply issues with sunflower oil and surging prices for olive oil push both consumers and producers toward more local alternatives. New data suggests that the market for Irish rapeseed oil is set to reach €33.3 million by 2029, representing a 35% growth in value.
Retail sales of rapeseed oil in Ireland reached €24.7 million in 2024, according to Euromonitor International research for Bord Bia. Although olive oil remains the leading category, rapeseed oil is quickly closing the gap.
One Irish company aiming to keep more of the crop local is Newgrange Gold, a family-run business based in the Boyne Valley, Co Meath. Director Jack Rogers, who co-founded the company with his father John in 2011, believes in keeping supply chains close to home amid climate and market instability.
The farm also uses practices like minimal tillage and organic manures, such as chicken litter from Cavan and Monaghan, to reduce reliance on chemical fertilisers.
While the crop still requires chemical desiccation before harvest, it also supports pollinators like bees and hoverflies during its blooming phase in spring.
Irish growers have already begun experimenting with similar practices. The Hobson farm, for example, introduced spring lamb grazing on the oilseed crop to improve root depth and reduce disease.
To support future development, the Department of Agriculture—through the Food Vision Tillage Group—has commissioned a University College Cork feasibility study to explore the potential for more domestic oilseed processing.
As supply chains grow more vulnerable and the need for climate-conscious agriculture intensifies, rapeseed oil is emerging as a sustainable, local alternative for Irish households and kitchens.
Global Disruptions, Local Solutions
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a major sunflower oil producer, has disrupted global supplies, while climate-related challenges have pushed up the cost of olive oil. In response, Irish growers and producers are turning to oilseed rape as a homegrown solution.Retail sales of rapeseed oil in Ireland reached €24.7 million in 2024, according to Euromonitor International research for Bord Bia. Although olive oil remains the leading category, rapeseed oil is quickly closing the gap.
Farming and Production Trends
The land area used for growing oilseed rape in Ireland has grown dramatically—by more than 70% in the past five years—from 9,000 hectares to over 16,000. However, a lack of major processing facilities means that over 40% of the crop is exported, primarily to the UK for animal feed or industrial vegetable oil production.One Irish company aiming to keep more of the crop local is Newgrange Gold, a family-run business based in the Boyne Valley, Co Meath. Director Jack Rogers, who co-founded the company with his father John in 2011, believes in keeping supply chains close to home amid climate and market instability.
Their oil is cold-pressed and often infused with flavours like garlic, lemon, chilli, and herbs, aiming to rival extra virgin olive oil in quality for cooking and salads.
Agricultural and Environmental Practices
Newgrange Gold sources its oilseed crop from the nearby Hobson family farm, where it’s grown regeneratively. Oilseed rape is used as a break crop in rotation with winter barley, wheat, and spring beans—enhancing soil health and biodiversity.The farm also uses practices like minimal tillage and organic manures, such as chicken litter from Cavan and Monaghan, to reduce reliance on chemical fertilisers.
While the crop still requires chemical desiccation before harvest, it also supports pollinators like bees and hoverflies during its blooming phase in spring.
Biodiversity and Pest Management
Prof Jane Stout, Vice President for Biodiversity and Climate Action at Trinity College Dublin, said that oilseed rape's impact on biodiversity depends heavily on how it is managed.In contrast, the UK has faced significant challenges with pests like the cabbage stem flea beetle, especially since the 2018 EU ban on neonicotinoid insecticides. Dr Aoife O'Driscoll, a crop protection specialist originally from Cork, has been leading research at the UK’s National Institute of Agricultural Botany (Niab) on ways to reduce pest damage through techniques like mosaic cropping, grazing, and rotational farming.
Irish growers have already begun experimenting with similar practices. The Hobson farm, for example, introduced spring lamb grazing on the oilseed crop to improve root depth and reduce disease.
Growing Role in Irish Agriculture
Ireland's national agricultural policy aims to increase the total tillage area across all crops to 400,000 hectares by 2030. While adverse weather caused a slight dip last year to 334,450 hectares, momentum continues to build.To support future development, the Department of Agriculture—through the Food Vision Tillage Group—has commissioned a University College Cork feasibility study to explore the potential for more domestic oilseed processing.
As supply chains grow more vulnerable and the need for climate-conscious agriculture intensifies, rapeseed oil is emerging as a sustainable, local alternative for Irish households and kitchens.
