Contrary to what was previously reported in the media, a higher wheat price does not encourage arable farmers in Western Europe to expand their acreage. New figures show a contraction in cultivation. This is the case with rapeseed because of a record price.
The French agricultural ministry Agreste announced the provisional acreage figures for grains this week, putting an area of 4,75 million hectares of winter wheat. At the end of last year it was expected that the area would expand to 4,92 million hectares. The new area figure means 4,3% less soft winter wheat than was grown in 2021. The area is also 1% below the five-year average.
18% more rapeseed
French arable farmers have sown more winter barley. This concerns 1,25 million hectares, which is an increase of 4,6% compared to 2021. This means that the area remains 1,6% below the five-year average. By far the largest percentage growth is for rapeseed. This crop increases by 18% in area to 1,16 million hectares. That looks like a lot, but it is still 7% below the five-year average. The record high rapeseed prices and good mood for vegetable oils are a good motivation, but it remains a difficult crop due to the disappearance of neonicotinoids.
A larger area of winter barley will result in slightly less spring barley, the Ministry of Agriculture believes. That conclusion is based on responses from growers in December. This also shows that they will sow less silage and grain maize next spring. A minus of 6% is now taken into account. The area of sugar beet remains stable to slightly decreasing with a maximum of 3%.
More rapeseed worldwide
Not only France is showing a clear growth in the rapeseed area. The International Grains Council (IGC) estimates that 900.000 hectares more rapeseed has been sown worldwide. A plus of 2,4% compared to last year. This brings the area to 40 million hectares. For the EU27, this means that the harvest will theoretically increase from 5,3 to 5,6 million tons, the IGC estimates.
In addition to France, significantly more rapeseed is also grown in Germany. The sowing and growing conditions are favorable this season, although it is also noted that the acreage still remains well below average. Ukraine and Canada will also grow more rapeseed in the 2022-2023 season, the IGC believes.
The German statistical service estimates the German rapeseed area at 1,1 million hectares. A plus of 8,7% compared to last year. More rapeseed has been sown, especially in Lower Saxony - a major state for potatoes. Winter wheat remains almost unchanged with an area of 2,87 million hectares. A difference of about 10.000 hectares compared to last year. The areas of winter barley and triticale also hardly change. Rye clearly shows a decrease of 6%.
The Netherlands
Whether more winter wheat has been sown in the Netherlands remains to be seen. If a plus is shown, it will not be very large. Last year the wheat area amounted to 119.402 hectares. A plus of 9%. By far the largest part is winter wheat (106.800 hectares). Given the sowing conditions last autumn, it can be assumed that the area of spring wheat will not expand much. It is possible that the area of spring barley could increase. This crop shrank by 8.600 hectares in area last year.