In 2011/2012 marketing year, Ukraine will sow rapeseed throughout 1.16 mln ha, a decrease of 24% compared to the previous MY (1.53 mln ha), declared Rodion Rybchinsky, Head of the department of business projects of APK-Inform, at the Anniversary 10th international conference "Fat-and-Oil Industry — 2011" in Kiev on November 25.
According to him, in 2011/12 MY the general production of rapeseed is forecasted at the level of 1.42 mln tonnes (in registered weight), which practically corresponds to the volumes in last MY - 1.43 mln tonnes.
According to forecasts of APK-Inform, export volumes of rapeseed in the current MY will total 1.34 mln tonnes, down 5.4% compared to last MY, R.Rybchinsky added.
According to him, in July-September of 2011, the number of Ukrainian companies exporting rapeseed, decreased to 174 against 214 in the same period of 2010/11 MY.
R.Rybchinsky marked reducing of profitability of rapeseed production observed since 2008, extremely high risk of production, unstable yield and complete dependence on foreign markets among the factors reducing production rates of rapeseed in Ukraine. In particular, he said, almost 95% of the general production of rapeseed are exported.
R.Rybchinsky also reported that winter rapeseed covers nearly 95% of general rapeseed production in Ukraine.
Those climatic changes, Ukraine is witnessing during recent 4-5 seasons, became the most severe for rapeseed sowings. The average losses in 2010 totaled nearly 45% of rapeseed sowings, in 2011 - nearly 22-24%, he said.
The expert noted that the conditions of winter rapeseed in the current season in Ukraine cause deep concern among agrarians. The losses may reach the level of 50% or more due to weather and climatic conditions.
