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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.
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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.

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