The answers today are partially dependent on how much land is available, the yield available from that land and the range of differing feed stocks utilised. On a global basis, the starting point is that biofuels consume around 1% of the world's arable crops today (OECD/FAO, 2007).  A number of estimates regarding the proportion of the world's transport fuel production that could be replaced with biofuels have been made. These estimates often use different assumptions and generally assume no improvements in crop yields and no advancement in production technology. 

Global production of rapeseed and its derivatives is estimated at 57 million tonnes.

The vast majority of production is for crushing to create oil and meal. Around 10 million tonnes of product are exported (fromCanada,Ukraine,Australia) and imported (toJapan, EU-27,China,Mexico). These figures exclude intra-EU trade. 

It is worth noting that while China is a net importer, it is also the largest producer of rapeseed with production of around 10 million tonnes per year.Indiais the third largest producer globally, with 13% of arable land used for rapeseed production. Yield per hectare varies widely depending upon the soil/climate and intensity of farming methods. Yields vary from 0.89 tonnes per hectare inPakistan, to 4.23 tonnes per hectare in Germanyand average yields inEuropeare around 3 tonnes per hectare. 

The oilseed crops planted inEuropeare predominantly rapeseed, sunflower and soya. Of these, rapeseed accounts for around two thirds of the approximately 30 million tonnes produced inEurope. EU-27 is a net importer of around 1.73 million tonnes of rapeseed per year, in addition to the 20 million tonnes produced.Germanyis the largest importer from within the EU- 27 market, sourcing much of their additional supply fromFrance.

Across the world, 45 million hectares of land has been taken out of production since the 1990's including 7 million hectares inEuropeunder the set-aside scheme. It is estimated that by 2040 the availability of arable land in the European Union for non-food crops will be 33 million hectares - sufficient to supply 11% of today's transport fuel consumption based on current technology. 

From an agricultural perspective, biofuels offer farmers an additional market opportunity allowing growth in crops in which the region can lead the world, such as high starch wheat and rapeseed. An additional benefit for growers is that the biofuel market can use grain and oilseed which has resulted from poor growing conditions, when it would otherwise be rejected by the food industry.