Rapeseed areas in Ukraine hit a 9 year-high in the 2018/19 season

Rapeseed area in Ukraine grew in the 2018/19 season to 1.3 million hectares, which is a third more than last year's result, and is a record indicator for the past nine years.

Over the last two years, the rapeseed area in Ukraine has grown by 62 per cent from 0.8 million hectares in 2017 to 1.3 million hectares in 2019.

"During this period, the average yield of rapeseed in Ukraine has also increased from 2.5 tons per hectare to 2.76 tons per hectare," the statement says.

The yield leaders last year were Volyn, Khmelnytsky, Ternopil, Rivne and Vinnytsya regions where agriproducers harvested on average more than 3 tons per hectare.

"Rapeseed areas increase is observed for the third year in a row as nowadays rapeseed is the most high-priced crop among the main oilseeds in Ukraine. Good profitability and high demand on the part of exporters and processors stimulate farmers to expand sowing areas," the message says.

The article also indicates that domestic agricultural producers engaged in rapeseed cultivation traditionally sell the crop in the first months after harvesting. In 2018, Ukrainian companies exported 89.7 per cent of the total rapeseed harvest. This allows Ukraine to hold a 4 per cent share of the world rapeseed market and the 7th position among global producers.

USDA experts project the growth of rapeseed exports from Ukraine in the season 2019/20 (September-August) to 3.5 mmt, 1 mmt more from 2018/19.

Kurkul.com