Bulgaria: Oilseed Production 2023 increases against 2022

Weather conditions in Bulgaria (MARS latest report):

• accumulated precipitation deficit since summer 2022;
• dry 2022 autumn, moisture distribution was uneven across the country (in the northwestern part of Bulgaria, precipitation was stronger, in other part  – insufficient);
• late sowing of winter crops;
• the 2022/23 winter in Bulgaria was mild and the warmest since 1991;
• currently, moisture deficit, especially in the eastern part of Bulgaria is registered
• further winter crops conditions depend on March-April precipitation.

Rapeseed harvest forecast, 2023

• no critically negative developments were observed for winter rape during last winter, even precipitation, though limited, was sufficient and, together with positive temperatures, allowed the plants to vegetate progressively;
• winter rapeseed sowing area (-19% compared to 2022, under-sowing due to risks associated with low moisture reserves);
• yield (+22%);
• harvest forecast – to increase by 18%.

Sunflower harvest forecast, 2023

• sunflower sowing area – a slight increase is expected (+1% by 2022), there are a number of restraining factors
• yield – in the first forecast, the average for the last three years
• harvest – will increase by 5% and reach a record.