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© Tim Scrivener The UK’s oilseed rape cropping area will start to increase again in autumn 2021 after hitting rock bottom this season, traders have forecast. Rapeseed marketing specialist

United Oilseeds is predicting that the harvested area in 2021 will slide 13% on the year, to just 310,000ha. This compares to 360,000ha cut at harvest 2020, which was from a planted area of

531,000ha. See also: Regenerative farming: The theory and the farmers doing it This will result in a 2021 production figure of about 1.09m tonnes, which will mean the UK will need to import

rapeseed again, probably about 800,000 tonnes, said United Oilseeds managing director Chris Baldwin. “The fact that this significant shortfall of seed will be supplied by imports from some

countries – where the use of neonicotinoids to counter flea beetle is still permitted – remains hugely unfair to UK farmers,” he said. “It means that we are importing seed that has been

treated with a chemical that is not accessible to UK growers. “This is a clear case of the standards demanded of UK farmers not being applied to goods imported from overseas.” AREA

TURNAROUND The drop in OSR has resulted in a growth in other break crops this season, with oats continuing to increase by 3.6%, according to AHDB. Other cereals, such as rye, triticale and

mixed grains, are seen to be increasing by 40.8% and pulses by 7%. However, the current high rapeseed prices are likely to encourage some farmers who have taken the crop out of the rotation

to give it another go, particularly as many crops have got off to a good start this year, he said. The farming co-operative predicts that growers could plant 425,000ha next year and 500,000

in 2022. This would see it return a planted area close to that seen in 2019, but still well below the peak area of the past decade which was 758,000ha in 2012. “I recommend that farmers will

do well to recognise they are growing for the home market and that there is a huge domestic demand for OSR, right here on their doorstep,” said Mr Baldwin. “It is also important to

appreciate that a rapeseed crop price can reach very attractive levels of over £400/t, especially if you choose the right variety – one with good oil content contributing to a gross output –

and supply a crop that is within spec, clean and dry.” United Oilseeds says it has increased its share of the UK rapeseed market to more than 25% and made pre-tax profits of £1.16m, from a

turnover of £142.5m, in the year to June 2020. This compares with a profit of £1.45m, from a turnover of £130.7m, in the previous financial year.