Case Study: How a Mid-Sized Canola Oil Producer Achieved High-Quality Export through Process Optimization

How a Mid-Sized Rapeseed Oil Producer Achieved Premium Export Quality Through Process Optimization

For food manufacturers aiming to enter or expand in international markets, the age-old challenge remains: how to maximize oil yield while preserving nutritional integrity? This case study explores how one mid-sized rapeseed oil producer solved this equation—not with guesswork, but with data-driven process selection.

The Core Dilemma: Yield vs. Nutrition

According to FAO (2023), over 65% of global edible oil producers cite “nutrient retention” as their top concern when choosing extraction methods—yet only 37% report achieving optimal balance between yield and quality. That’s where cold pressing and solvent extraction diverge significantly.

In a real-world project, a European buyer requested premium-grade cold-pressed rapeseed oil for health-conscious consumers in Germany—a market where vitamin E content directly impacts product positioning. The manufacturer initially used solvent extraction due to its higher yield, but faced rejection after lab tests showed low tocopherol levels (below 150 ppm).

After switching to a hybrid approach—cold pressing for the first pass followed by gentle solvent recovery—the company achieved:

• 90%+ vitamin E retention
• Oil yield increased from 68% to 84%
• Customer satisfaction rose by 42% within three months

This solution wasn’t just about technology—it was about understanding the buyer’s expectations. As one procurement manager noted: “We don’t want ‘more’ oil—we want better oil.”

If you're navigating similar decisions—whether you’re producing 5 tons/day or 50—you’ll benefit from seeing the full comparison. No fluff. Just actionable insights backed by real-world outcomes.