COCERAL estimates higher EU oilseed harvest 2013/14 - Germany is the frontrunner
The European umbrella organization of grain, oilseed and animal feed traders (COCERAL) estimates the 2013/14 oilseed harvest at around 31 million tonnes, with rapeseed accounting for the largest share at around 20.5 million tonnes. Sunflower seed also accounts for an impressive 9.2 million tonnes, while the few soybean areas in the southern parts of Europe just reach 1 million tonnes. The area under cultivation was increased by 0.5 million hectares to 11.5 million hectares, of which rapeseed accounted for around 6.7 million hectares and sunflowers for around 4.56 million hectares, while soya remained unchanged at just under 0.4 million hectares, of which 0.16 million hectares are cultivated in Italy alone. In the case of rapeseed, Germany and France dominate with alternating acreages of around 1.5 million hectares. This year, Germany is in the lead with a harvest of 5.8 million tons of rapeseed compared to France with 4.3 million tons. With almost the same acreage, the German yields of 40 dt/ha were the decisive factor compared to the French at 30 dt/ha. The French and British rapeseed areas suffered greatly from the wet conditions in fall 2012. In addition to the UK with 2.1 million tons, Poland with a considerably increased harvest of 2.55 million tons and the Czech Republic with 1.4 million tons also play a role in the EU. The EU-28's rapeseed production balance has been negative for years. Imports of between 2.5 and 3 million tons are required to cover domestic demand. Imports are difficult and expensive due to the strictly regulated GMO approvals in the EU. At a global level, genetically modified new varieties are predominantly cultivated, for example in Canada. There are only a few small countries such as Australia, Ukraine and Belarus that are still eligible for imports. Despite the global shortage of rapeseed, rapeseed prices have fallen considerably. The main reason for this is the low price of palm oil, which competes with rapeseed oil. Lower soybean meal prices are also making it difficult for rapeseed meal prices to rise. For the 2013/14 marketing year, the overall supply situation for oilseeds is expected to be favorable, with prices at just under average levels.
