The area under winter rapeseed in Germany will decrease by 4-7%

It is expected that the acreage of winter rapeseed in Germany for the 2024 harvest will decrease by 4-7%, to 1.09-1.13 mln ha, according to the German oilseeds producers association UFOP. Unfavorable weather hindered sowing: rainy summer prevented an early start, followed by a change to very dry autumn weather, the report said. The fall in rapeseed prices last year made the oilseed less attractive to farmers. The UFOP survey is traditionally the first detailed report on the future rapeseed plantings in Germany. The country competes with France for the title of Europe’s largest producer of rapeseed, which is used for edible oils, animal feed and biodiesel. According to UFOP, the rapeseed crops in Germany are currently in “good to very good” condition, which allows the crops to prepare better for winter. Heavy rains in October-November, although undesirable for winter crops, were positive for rapeseed and helped to replenish water reserves after a dry fall. According to the ...