Sowing of winter crops for the 2026 harvest in Moldova increased by 10-20%

In the first half of this year, approximately 45,000 units of rapeseed were imported and sold by farmers in Moldova. This amount is sufficient to sow approximately 130,000-135,000 hectares. According to Moldovan market representatives, a significant portion of commercial rapeseed seed has already been used.

Furthermore, some agricultural enterprises, violating agricultural practices for cultivating hybrid rapeseed, are using part of the harvested crop for seed, using so-called “self-seeding.” As a result, analysts estimate that, compared to this year’s figures (approximately 100,000-105,000 hectares), oilseed plantings for the upcoming harvest have increased by approximately 10-20%.

The area under rapeseed in the country this season reached a record 120,000 hectares, compared to an average of 40,000-45,000 hectares over the past five years.

Winter rapeseed sowing began in August this year in the Republic. In the southern regions, some farmers reportedly planted the crop in dry soil. Until early October, there was no agronomically beneficial precipitation in the southern part of the country. As a result, at least half of the crops were in poor condition, the publication notes. In central and northern Moldova, the majority of fields were sown with winter rapeseed in mid- and second half of September. Because of this, experts estimate that many crops had not reached the desired stage of development before the October rains. Experts are not providing forecasts for the future oilseed harvest.

It was previously announced that Moldova will resume processing rapeseed after a 15-year hiatus. In July-August, the Republic already exported about 6.4 thousand tons of rapeseed oil after a long time.

Tags: rapeseed, Moldova, sown area