16.05.2023 (Manitoba Cooperator) - MarketsFarm — With the rapeseed crop in the United Kingdom estimated at 66 per cent good to excellent, the U.S. Department of Agriculture attaché in London, forecast production for 2023-24 to be 1.38 million tonnes. That would make for a 1.4 per cent increase over the 2022-23 crop.

While the attaché pegged planted and harvest area for 2023-24 at 410,000 hectares — up from last year’s 364,000 — yields were forecast to drop from almost 3.74 tonnes per hectare to nearly 3.37.

Along with the projected output in rapeseed, the attaché estimated the U.K.’s imports of the oilseed at 750,000 tonnes. Altogether, the country’s total supply was projected to be short of 2.22 million tonnes, 1.6 per cent more than in 2022-23. Of that supply, the attaché placed the crush at two million tonnes, plus 80,000 in feed use. Ending stocks were projected to be 86,000 tonnes, the same amount coming into 2023-24.

The attaché estimate the U.K.’s rapeseed meal production at 1.14 million tonnes. Along with beginning stocks of 75,000 tonnes and imports of 200,000 tonnes, total supply of the meal was set at 1.42 million. Of that, 1.25 million tonnes is expected to be used domestically, which would be on par with the previous two marketing years. Meal ending stocks were set at 90,000 tonnes, 15,000 more than in 2022-23.

As for rapeseed oil, the attaché estimated the U.K. to produce 800,000 tonnes. With beginning stocks of 75,000 tonnes and imports of 90,000 tonnes, the total supply was forecast at 965,000. Of that, 780,000 tonnes is to be used domestically, with a carryover of 85,000, up 10,000 from 2022-23.

The attaché noted input costs in the U.K. increased due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but fertilizer and fuel prices have come down during 2023. The London desk stressed any major developments in the war could result in changes in the attaché’s assumptions.

https://www.manitobacooperator.ca/daily/u-k-to-increase-rapeseed-product-output-in-2023-24/