- DRV estimate for the German rapeseed harvest - less unfavorable with reservations
In its latest issue of April, the German Raiffeisen Association (DRV) has tended to improve its unfavorable previous month's estimate of German rapeseed harvest. Instead of a decline of 13%, the result should now be only -11.6% worse than in the previous year. The rapeseed acreage will be smaller by 25% according to the surveys of the Stat, Federal Office. The most recent estimate of the DRV is based on an area yield of 35.4 dt / ha , which was reduced by approx. 18% higher than last year. Overall, the German rapeseed harvest should deliver 3.24 million tons. In previous years, the harvests were of the order of 5 million t. In Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg, the highest harvest losses are still estimated at -35 to 37 %. This includes Hessen with -28%.In the middle of crop reductions, NRW with -15% Thuringia with -14%, Rhineland-Palatinate with -13.3% and Baden-Württemberg with -9.3%. Only Schleswig-Holstein and Saxony are in positive territory, but only because the previous year had taken on catastrophic proportions. The DRV points out, however, that rapeseed stands are giving a very favorable picture at the moment , but the lack of groundwater, especially in the north and north-east, raises serious concerns. The growth advantage noted just a few weeks ago was almost completely reversed by the recent weather conditions. If rainfall deficiencies persist, the crucial earnings generation phase in May and June may lack the necessary moisture to meet the projected average returns. The prospective rapeseed crop in the EU will in the opinion of the DRV with approx. 19 million t still overestimated.In particular, the acreage is not up to date. For Germany alone, the figures were around. 200.00 ha too big .