April 25, 2012

For the marketing year (MY) 2012-13, forecasts for total EU-27 oilseeds production are for fairly stable production reaching about 29 million tonnes.

Total oilseeds crush is forecast to fall by 0.6% to 40.8 million tonnes, which is in line with flat oilseed production and an expected decrease in imports of soy due to lower demand for soy meal in animal feed.

A smaller crush also lowers oilseed meal and oil production, which are estimated at 25.5 million tonnes and 16.5 million tonnes respectively.

Total EU-27 oilseeds area in MY 2012-13 is forecast to total 11.4 million hectares, a 1.8% decline over last year.

The decrease is mainly due to a 4% decrease rapeseed acreage caused by unfavourably wet planting conditions (Denmark), winterkill (mainly in Bulgaria and Hungary), and drought (Romania). Although on reduced acreage, a modest overall rebound in rapeseed production is anticipated.

A marginal increase in sunflower area is projected. Following last year's high sunflower seed yields, more conservative expectations in MY 2012-13 point to a decrease of 4% in production.