Free of charge

Rapeseed: An increase of sowed acreages expected

May 17, 2018 at 11:07 AM , Starry Night Ltd.
Yellow predominates throughout fields. In some land patches though, green dominates still.
Yellow predominates throughout fields. In some land patches though, green dominates still.
Play report as audio

SOFIA. Farmers planted more for the upcoming harvest, but the weather might well push down the expected increase in output.

BULGARIA. According to local authorities, by the 10th of May 2018, sowed land with rapeseed throughout the country stood at 185,213 ha, accounting for the fallen-through acreages, which amounted to just 540 ha. On a yearly basis, today’s estimates for planted acreages stand by 9.7% higher than those at that time last year. The higher expected planted land for the upcoming season is not a reflection of outsized ambitions. Just the contrary, if it speaks of something, it does of the reluctance of local farmers to heavily invest in the cultivation of rapeseed. In recent years, quality has not been an issue at all, and since the great majority of the crop is exported within the few months after harvest, they should have been bolder at the time of their sowing campaigns.

Rapeseed: Larger acreages does not necessary mean a higher output

Approximately a month and a half, if the weather allows it, and in some regions, combines will enter fields to collect rapeseed. Depending on the region of the country, some rapeseed farmers remain less confident of the potential of the yield because in places, the crop has not bloomed to its full potential at that time of season, yet. For instance, there are fields within the Southeast that have not received showers for a period of sixty days. Others, in the Northeast region for instance, foretell a successful harvest.

       Harvest 2017-18

(01.07.2017 – 11.05.2018)

           units in MT

Beginning availability

25,000

Aggregate output

478,987

Imports

32,655

Domestic consumption

62,800

   oil & biodiesel production

62,800

Exports to the world

433,461

   to EU markets

394,965

   to rest of the world

38,496

Source: Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture

In the majority of fields, the yellow color is predominant all over; yet in some, green remains the main color in patches of land. The weather forecast for the following few days, including the weekend, is for lower temperatures and rains throughout the country. Since showers fall at different intensity, for different duration, and unfortunately not in all fields throughout the country, most probably rains of agricultural significance will fall only in some fields.

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Oilseeds
Jan 29, 2026
OTTAWA/ASTANA. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has published its crop forecast for the 2026/27 Canadian flaxseed season. Despite good crops in the major producing countries, prices remain largely unchanged.
Oilseeds
Jan 29, 2026
NEW DELHI/ASUNCIÓN. The Indian sesame seed market is only slowly picking up speed again. Paraguay has increased its exports by 44% compared to the same period last year. India remains the most important supplier for the EU.
Oilseeds
Jan 28, 2026
DALIAN. Prices on the Chinese pumpkin seed market are fluctuating within a narrow range shortly before the upcoming New Year celebrations. After the festivities, the focus will shift to sowing for the 2026 crop.
Oilseeds
Jan 28, 2026
SOFIA/KYIV. The attacks on Ukrainian ports caused short-term market disruptions. Power outages are affecting smaller processing plants in particular. There is a wide price range for hulled sunflower seeds.