European Rapeseed Crop Trending Up

WASHINGTON - Mar 1/06 - SNS -- Last year's rapeseed crop established a new record for the European Union as part of a clear trend toward increased use of higher yielding rapeseed and sunflower hybrids, according to a recent report from the U.S. agricultural attache for the region.

"Moreover, many European farmers are expected to grow more oilseeds after the sugar reform. Under the sugar reform, 900,000 ha of sugar beet in the EU should disappear. The greater part of the area is expected to be planted with cereals, but also some of it with oilseeds.

In 2005, there were 4.8 million hectares planted with rapeseed across the EU-25, this represents 6% more than in 2004, and a 14% increase in the average area over the last five years. Germany and France, the two biggest producers, increased their area planted with rapeseed by 11 and 9.9% respectively.

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