Germany’s 2026 rapeseed harvest remains behind expectations

The German rapeseed harvest is complete, with yields falling well short of expectations despite initially promising crop development.

The extreme heatwave in early summer contributed to the disappointing results.

The key factor, however, was the emergence of rapeseed flea beetles and pod pests, which can no longer be adequately controlled due to the lack of effective insecticides, according to the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e. V. (UFOP).

Above all, the northern, eastern and some of the southern regions have reported mediocre or disappointing yields per hectare.

Yields were assessed as particularly critical in Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Brandenburg, Baden-Wuerttemberg and southern Baden.

Parts of Lower Saxony recorded lower oil content.

According to initial analyses by the Max-Rubner-Institut, the average total oil content was generally 43.5 percent, which implies corresponding surcharges on producer prices.

Estimates of the nationwide rapeseed harvest still vary.

The latest reports from the German Federal Statistical Office pegged rapeseed output at roughly 3.5 million metric tons.

This would represent a decline of nearly 13 percent compared with 2025.

The German Raiffeisen Association put the harvest at 3.7 million tons, whereas the German Farmers’ Association was even more cautious in its estimate, putting it at just 3.3 million tons.

With winter rapeseed sowings for the 2027 harvest well underway, the rainfall in recent weeks provided the necessary soil moisture to get the crops off to a good start.

Adequate availability of crop-protection products, however, is an essential element in securing yields.

UFOP has pointed out that faster progress in the licensing process is urgently needed, adding that this call extends to arable farming in general.

The association has cited the fact that climate change is progressing more rapidly in Europe than in other regions of the world.

This poses a risk to Germany’s security of supply of agricultural feedstock for food and energy-related purposes.