Rapeseed and sunflowerseed production in Bulgaria is expected to rebound in 2025/26 – after three consecutive years of hot and dry conditions – due to more favourable weather and an increased planted area, according to a report by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Bulgarian rapeseed and sunflowerseed output was expected to be 240,000 tonnes and 2M tonnes respectively in 2025/26, the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) 13 June report said.
“There is potential for even further increases in average yields and production for rapeseed compared to last year if favourable weather continues until harvest starts in June,” the USDA said.
“Expectations for the sunflower crop are highly dependent on the summer weather in July/August, but a recovery is expected following a record-low crop in 2024/25.”
According to the Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture, the expected winter crops will be “very good” with more than 90% of the fields reported to be in good-to-excellent condition.
As of 15 May, the rapeseed planted area increased by 51% to 97,340ha compared to 64,260ha in 2024/25, according to ministry data.
The European Commission’s (EC) latest forecasts for Bulgaria estimated rapeseed yields at 2.58 tonnes/ha, 3% above the five-year average and 5% more than in 2024/25 and sunflower yields at 2.14 tonnes/ha, 2% above the five-year average and 23% higher than the previous year, the USDA’s Bulgaria: Oilseeds and Products Market Update said.
Bulgaria is one of the leading sunflowerseed producers in the European Union.
