Bulgarian rapeseed: quietness before harvest
May 31, 2017 at 8:53 AM ,
Starry Night Ltd.
Rapeseed: the upcoming harvest is a few weeks away
SOFIA. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, by the 18th of May 2017, available plots for harvest stood at 166,201 ha, which is about 1.9% less than those available during the previous season. This year, fallen through acreages accounted to 19,966 ha because of damaging weather conditions during the winter and early spring. However, prospects for the upcoming harvest seem encouraging.
At that time of season, exports are rare and meager at best. By the 21.05.2017, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, exports via Varna seaport accounted to 216,457 mt, which is about 208.3% higher than those of the previous year via the same trade route. The high export figures (see the table below) and the relatively high prices of rapeseed have encouraged farmers to invest more in the cultivation of rapeseed plots. Farmers expect the new crop to be quickly exported as was the case with the crop from harvest 2016-17.
Harvest 2016-17 (beginning of harvest till 26.05.2017) |
|
Carry over |
70,000 mt |
Domestic output |
506,778 mt |
Imports |
33,743 mt |
Domestic consumption |
72,600 mt |
Exports to the world |
503,771 mt |
to EU countries |
465,266 mt |
to the rest of the world |
38,505 mt |
Source: Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture
Confined to local trade, overall rapeseed exhibits a downward price trend
Since the beginning of the year, trade of rapeseed has mainly happened on the local market, which at best has been sluggish. For about the same time period, prices have been following a downward trend, as deals have been realized at between 0.353 EUR/kg – 0.327 EUR/kg EXW Bulgaria. Prices are expected to remain on the ebb side rather than on the up side before the harvest begins. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, by the 26th of May 2017, remaining stocks amounted to 34,150 mt.
Rapeseed, Bulgaria |
|
Crop |
EUR/kg |
rapeseed |
0.343 |
EXW Bulgaria |