In Ireland, an increase in the area under winter rapeseed is expected due to high demand for seed

Ireland’s winter rapeseed area is expected to expand further in the 2026/27 season amid strong demand for seed. Suppliers are already reporting that some varieties have sold out, while stocks of others are being depleted rapidly.

According to Goldcrop cereal variety manager John Dunne, winter rapeseed was one of the standout crops of the 2026 harvest. Crops performed well, while rapeseed prices have remained strong, encouraging farmers to increase the crop’s share in their rotations.

Goldcrop is reporting strong demand across all winter rapeseed varieties offered for the 2026/27 season. LG Armada has already sold out, while stocks of LG Avenger are moving quickly, with a similar trend seen for other varieties.

Interest in rapeseed is also supported by its benefits as a break crop. Including rapeseed in rotations helps growers control weeds and disrupt the cycle of cereal root diseases, particularly take-all, which is especially relevant following disappointing winter barley results in Ireland this year.

According to Goldcrop, average winter barley yields in 2026 were around 3.5 t/acre, while trials showed yields of up to 5 t/acre when barley followed a break crop, including winter rapeseed. Strong rapeseed performance and its agronomic benefits for subsequent cereal crops therefore support prospects for a further expansion of Ireland’s winter rapeseed area.

Tags: seeds, rapeseed, Ireland, rape seeds