COCERAL estimates that the EU rapeseed harvest is lower on the second try The European umbrella organization of grain and oilseed traders (COCERAL) in its March issue has slightly revised its original estimate of the EU rapeseed harvest downwards to just 17.03 million t . Reduced acreage is not offset by the somewhat higher yield expectations. Compared to the previous year, however, this year's result should be approx. Turn out 1.8% higher. However, the numbers remain far below those of earlier years with harvest quantities that were between 20 to 25 million tons. The decisive factor is the reduced acreage due to relatively low prices and a lack of crop protection products. Oilseed rape has fallen particularly in the large production areas of France, Germany, Great Britain and Poland, which approx. Account for 2/3 of EU production. For 2020, COCERAL in France expects a slightly rising harvest of 3.9 million t compared to the previous year. The result, however, falls far short of earlier quantities of over 5 million tons.An increased acreage and higher yield expectations are the basis for the forecast. The same applies to Germany , whose rapeseed harvest is expected to increase to 3.1 million t . The German acreage has approx. 940,000 ha has increased and the expected yields are estimated to be 1 dt higher than 34 dt / ha. In contrast, the British rapeseed area fell again sharply from 530,000 to 382,000 hectares. Despite higher yield expectations, the harvest result will be downgraded from 1.7 to 1.2 million t last year. The rapeseed harvest in Poland is classified as slightly better than in the previous year at 2.45 million tons. This is due to the 4th, 5% increase in acreage with slightly reduced yield expectations. A slightly larger harvest of 1.15 million t is expected in the Czech Republic. In view of an EU rapeseed consumption of approx. 23 million tonnes are again expected to have a significant import requirement.Despite the rapeseed deficit, the rapeseed price is primarily determined by the competing products palm and soybean oil. Above all is the crude oil price, which is currently listed at the lowest level. Rapeseed becomes approx. 60% processed into biodiesel.
