Rapeseed, also known as Brassica seeds, belongs to the Cruciferae family. The crop is characterized by its long fruits, abundant pods, and full grains. The oil content of rapeseed ranges from 37.5% to 46.3%, with slight variations depending on its type.
Rapeseed is a crop that thrives in regions with a temperate climate. The entire reproductive period of rapeseed is completed under an average daily temperature of 22°C. Germination of rapeseed seedlings occurs when the temperature exceeds 3°C.
Due to variations in climate across different regions, rapeseed is cultivated as both winter and spring varieties.
Winter rapeseed is suitable for regions where the average temperature lower limit is 10°C, with the coldest monthly average temperature not falling below -5°C. These conditions allow winter rapeseed to safely overwinter.
Provinces in southern China and the Yangtze River Basin, characterized by cold winters and warm, humid springs, are ideal for cultivating winter rapeseed. Winter rapeseed varieties have a medium to late maturation period, and the seedlings require 15 to 30 days of vernalization at temperatures around 0-5°C before they can bud, flower, and fruit.
Winter rapeseed is sown in the fall and harvested in late spring.
Spring rapeseed, on the other hand, does not have strict requirements for low temperatures and can be sown in autumn or summer, with harvest taking place in spring or summer.
Regions such as northern Europe, Canada in North America, as well as northeast China, northwest China, and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, experience dry, cool winters and humid summers with ample sunshine and significant day-night temperature differences. These regions are well-suited for spring rapeseed cultivation.
Turning our attention to recent rapeseed production in Europe, we find that France experienced a decline in sowings, reaching their lowest level in 24 years. However, the overall production is expected to match the previous year's output of 3.3 million tons, thanks to higher-than-expected yields.
Good weather conditions, characterized by favorable sunshine and rainfall during the late growing season, benefited the rapeseed crop. Although heavy summer rains slowed down the harvest, they did not cause significant damage. However, some rapeseed in the northeast of France sprouted due to severe waterlogging of farmland.
In Germany, the forecasted figures for canola production were revised downward. The German Association of Farm Cooperatives (DRV) lowered its 2021 winter rapeseed production estimate to 3.51 million tons from the July forecast of 3.68 million tons.
Despite this adjustment, the production remained relatively unchanged compared to the previous year. The quality of German rapeseed was good, although the crop was affected by unfavorable weather conditions, including a cold spring, hot and dry summer, and rains in August.
In Poland, analysts from Sparks Polska expect a 4% year-on-year decrease in rapeseed production, estimating it to be around 3.1 million tons in 2021. Poor weather conditions in June, during the final growth phase of the rapeseed crop, led to lower yields than expected. However, the rapeseed oil content remained satisfactory, ranging from 41% to 44%.
In the United Kingdom, improved rapeseed yields are expected to compensate for the impact of a significant increase in the sown area. According to the UK Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB), average rapeseed yields are projected to be between 3.2 and 3.6 tons per hectare, a notable increase from the previous year's average of 2.7 tons.
