Russian farmers return to traditional oilseed crops
The structure of oilseed plantings in Russia has shifted noticeably toward sunflower and rapeseed in 2026, while the area planted with soybeans has declined. According to Rosstat, the country’s total oilseed area increased by almost 1 mln ha compared with last year.
The sunflower area expanded by 917 thsd ha, or 8.3%, reaching 11.96 mln ha. Rapeseed recorded an even stronger increase, with planted area rising by 883 thsd ha, or 30%, to 3.84 mln ha.
At the same time, farmers reduced the soybean area by 595 thsd ha, or 12.6%. The area declined from 4.73 mln ha in 2025 to 4.14 mln ha this year. Oilseed flax plantings also decreased by 92 thsd ha.
Thus, the expansion of Russia’s total oilseed area in 2026 is being driven primarily by sunflower and rapeseed. Growth in these crops has more than offset the decline in soybean and flax areas, increasing the share of Russia’s traditional oilseed crops in the overall planting structure.
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