In MY 2022/23 Bulgaria expects to harvest a sunflower crop of 2-2.1 MMT

In MY 2022/23 Bulgaria expects to harvest a sunflower crop of 2-2.1 million metric tons (MMT), on par with the previous season. Despite optimistic expectations early in the season based on higher area planted and favorable weather, average yields have been affected by the summer drought and heat, along with higher pest infestation.  Following the Russian invasion in Ukraine, Bulgaria imported a record volume of sunflower seed from Ukraine, which was used for crush and dehulling. This made the country a top exporter of processed products in the EU, but also led to farm protests due to the market price pressure. The Cabinet supported farmers’ position and expressed concerns about growing price competitive imports. Currently, farmers are holding oilseed stocks due to softening prices, with expectations for better offers from traders in months to come. Due to increased production costs, producers may decrease area planted under rapeseed and/or reduce input use in MY 2023/24, putting future yields into question.

Hot and dry summer weather conditions substantially reduced yield outlook for the summer oilseeds crop. Bulgaria was among the most negatively affected in Europe, with summer temperatures
persistently between 1.8 F and 7.2°F above average, with the highest values recorded toward the end of July when daily maximum temperatures reached 102°F in central and western parts of the country. July was also among the driest on record. The lack of precipitation, worsened by the high temperatures, increased crop water demand, caused depletion of soil moisture reserves, and exposed the sunflower crop to water stress during the critical grain-filling period. No significant precipitation in July, combined with warmer-than-usual temperatures in the second half of the month, accelerated crop ripening by about two weeks. As a result, the harvest for sunflower started in early August.

The first half of August remained extremely dry. In north-eastern regions no rain was recorded, while about 0.78 inches fell in western and central regions. Since the middle of August, though,  rainfall was abundant throughout Bulgaria, especially in the west. However, the precipitation arrived too late to impact the sunflower harvest, and hampered it in the second half of August and September. The lack of summer precipitation supported the rapeseed harvest, though, especially in eastern Bulgaria. The rainfall in August and September was favorable for increased soil moisture levels and allowed MY 2023/24 winter rapeseed to be sown in the optimal window

Tags: crop forecast, Bulgaria, sunflower