Europe's oilseed crop increases in 2008

According to a forecast by European trade representative group, Coceral, EU's total oilseeds production in 2008 will increase to 26.68 million tonnes, up from 23.53 million tonnes in 2007.

The forecast is marginally higher than the previous crop forecast it made in September.

Common oilseeds include soy, rapeseed, cottonseed and palm kernel.

The EU's rapeseed harvest is expected to increase to 18.99 million tonnes, from 17.73 million tonnes in 2007, while sunflower output is predicted to increase to 6.76 million tonnes, compared to 4.9 million tonnes last year.