August weather conditions generally had a limited impact on European oilseed production. According to the European Commission’s August crop monitoring report, the overall sunflower production numbers were revised upwards due to better than expected conditions in Spain and France – more moisture due to heavy rains. The rains offset a deterioration in sunflower conditions in Bulgaria.
Unfavorable conditions for vegetation led to a decrease in the sunflower yield forecast in Bulgaria: heat waves, thermal anomaly, large number of hot days in August, lack of rainfall, especially in the central and eastern parts of Bulgaria and the rains that arrived after August 15-17 did not compensate for the moisture deficit.
Sunflower area decreased by 4% YoY. The limiting factor for area expansion was the drop in prices under the pressure of large sunflower stocks due to high imports from Ukraine. Yield grew by 2%, while harvest fell by 3%.
Rapeseed production remains unchanged. Winter rapeseed area decreased by 24%, yield increased 9%, while production fell by 22%. (UkrAgroConsult/Business World Magazine)