Estimates for this year’s oilseeds harvest from European farm union Copa-Cogeca show the planting area is stabilising or declining slightly. Following the estimates’ release on Friday, Copa-Cogeca officials have said that, as prospects on the world market show production is decreasing, last week’s figures reveal a need for the EU to maintain its production capacity.

 The estimates show this year’s EU-27 oilseeds production is expected to drop slightly by 3.3 per cent, reaching 28.122 million tonnes, a continuation of a two-year downward trend.  In view of drought and frost kill, these figures could also be revised downwards.

Following the release, Gerard Tubery, Chair of Copa-Cogeca Working Party on Oilseeds and Protein Crops, painted a grim picture of production in 2012. He said, “At our Working Party, some delegations complained of frost damage, especially in Poland, Germany and Eastern France, which will badly affect their rapeseed crop. Whilst Spain, Portugal, France warned of severe drought this year affecting their oilseeds crop. World market forecasts also predict a production decline, with harvest prospects for the Brazilian soybean crop down on last year. It is consequently crucial for the EU to maintain its production capacity”.

Copa-Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen responded, “In view of this, we must have a strong Common Agricultural Policy in the future, with measures to manage the market”.

Cereal estimates for the EU 27 show a rise in oat and barley production and slight drops in wheat and maize production. Copa-Cogeca officials also warned that drought and frost kill, which affected crops after the estimates were calculated, mean figures are likely to be revised down.

Although farmers in the UK remain optimistic, looking forward to higher yields this year, the situation is likely to be dictated by the severity of the drought currently affecting much of England, including the bread basket of East Anglia.

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