Free of charge

Rapeseed: Precipitation favors some regions

May 25, 2018 at 2:12 PM , Starry Night Ltd.
Flowering amidst the season of hailstorms.
Flowering amidst the season of hailstorms.
Play report as audio

SOFIA. So far in the season, hailstorms’ impacts have been confined locally. In fields, precipitation has refilled moisture reserves.

Rapeseed: Faring well amidst the season of hailstorms

BULGARIA. Before harvests unfold throughout the different regions, besides the lack of moisture in the soil, fields are threatened by hailstorms. During the month of May, weather conditions are quite predisposed to hailstorms, which have already hit places throughout the country. Within the Northeast region of the country – the region where usually the highest quantities of rapeseed are collected on an annual basis – hailstorms ravaged some fields. In fields within the central North, hailstorms impacted larger areas, according to farmers.

       Harvest 2017-18

(01.07.2017 – 18.05.2018)

           units in MT

Beginning availability

25,000

Aggregate output

478,987

Imports

32,655

Domestic consumption

68,800

   oil & biodiesel production

68,800

Exports to the world

433,461

   to EU markets

394,965

   to rest of the world

38,496

Source: Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture

Nationwide, the impact of hailstorms so far has been limited to specific areas since it has been hailstorm clouds and not a full sky that brought the natural disaster; as the larger the frozen balls, the higher the damages within places. Yet, before harvest begins and the crops are collected from fields much could change for better or for worse. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, by the 10th of May 2018, only 540 ha of sowed land (185,753 ha) with rapeseed have been registered as fallen-through. By the time harvest 2018-19 begins, the number will most probably increase.

Precipitation favors some regions

Although in places, farmers still pray for rain, in some regions, rains of agricultural significance fell and filled in the necessary moisture reserves. Showers in the amount of 40-50 l/sq.m. replenished reserves in the lower layers of the soil in the places within the Northwest and central South, among other regions. The forecasted rains till the end of the month will maintain the moisture levels in some fields throughout the country. Right now, the so necessary precipitation will produce a beneficial effect on local crops, which are in the phase of seed formation and/or reaching full development of their grains.

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Grains
Nov 28, 2025
BRUSSELS. Wheat is under pressure. Russia’s persistent attacks are disrupting corn shipments in Ukraine. Speculations abound as to if China will succeed in buying enough US soybeans. Global rapeseed production has the potential to rise.
Oilseeds
Nov 27, 2025
NEW DELHI/DAKAR. After rainfall severely affected the Indian sesame seed crop, cultivation is to be expanded in the Rabi season. In Chad, the new crop will soon be available. Sesame farmers in Senegal are striving to further expand the sector.
Oilseeds
Nov 26, 2025
OTTAWA/BRUSSELS. Canadian mustard seed production recorded higher yields than expected this year. At the same time, there is a shortage of high-quality goods. The EU has increased its mustard seed imports from Canada by 3.3% since the start of the season.
Nuts
Nov 24, 2025
NEW DELHI/BUENOS AIRES. In some important Indian growing regions, there are concerns about the quality of this year's crop. In Argentina, sowing for the 2026 crop has been completed, while in Brazil it has been delayed due to weather conditions.