MARS experts have lowered their estimate of rapeseed and sunflower yields in the EU

Sunflower yield in the EU countries in the season-2023/24 will be 5% lower than the average value of the last five years and will amount to 2.12 tons per hectare. This forecast was published by MARS agency specialists. Their new estimate is 0.09 t/ha lower than the June one.

It is noted that the adjustments for the month occurred against the background of the ongoing drought in Europe. The greatest reduction in yields of the oilseed crop is expected in Romania, which is the main producer of sunseed in the EU.

“The main reason for the deterioration in yields is the drier than normal weather conditions experienced across much of western, central and northern Europe. In several of these regions, the negative impact of limited soil moisture reserves was exacerbated by higher than normal temperatures,” the monitor said.

A similar situation is observed with rapeseed: for this crop yield forecast for 2023/24 MY was reduced for the month by 3% – to 3.2 tons/ha. However, the current figure is 3% higher than the average value of the last 5 years.

Tags: sunseed, rapeseed, crop forecast, Romania, EU