Rapeseed Yield Forecast in Ukraine: Risks from Drought and Heat Persist

In Ukraine, rapeseed has suffered significantly greater losses compared to grain crops due to unfavorable weather conditions. The autumn drought and spring frosts have had a substantial impact on the condition of rapeseed crops, leading to pessimistic yield forecasts. Initial estimates predicted a decrease in yield to 2.7 million tons, and some farmers even considered the option of reseeding fields with corn or sunflower.

This is reported by AgroReview

Impact of May Weather and Farmers’ Decisions

The favorable weather in May has contributed to the recovery of weakened rapeseed fields. Many farmers decided to keep rapeseed in the fields, particularly due to attractive prices for this crop. As a result, the areas for reseeding are likely to be smaller than initially expected at the beginning of the season.

Current Weather Risks and Yield Prospects

Weather forecasts for the next two weeks indicate hot and dry conditions, which maintain a high risk for rapeseed yields. By the end of June, there may be a revision of forecasts in July, taking into account the actual weather risks.

“Rapeseed has been more affected than grains due to the autumn drought and spring frosts. Early pessimistic estimates indicated a drop to 2.7 million tons, with some farmers considering the possibility of reseeding with corn or sunflower.”

Ukrainian farmers are urged to closely monitor weather changes and make timely decisions regarding the future of rapeseed crops to minimize potential losses and effectively plan for the upcoming harvest.