Strategie Grains trims sunseed to keep EU rapeseed forecast.

Strategie Grains, a consultancy in the United Kingdom, has kept its forecast for 2025/26 European Union Rapeseed Production unchanged for the third consecutive month. However it has reduced its outlook for next EU Sunflower Seed Crop.

The consultant still expects rapeseed production, the EU's major oilseed crop to reach 19.0 million metric tonnes next season, which is 13% more than the volume of 2024/25.

The production of sunseed is expected to be 10.5 million tonnes, down from the 10.6 million that was anticipated last month, but still 26% more than this season.

The EU's forecast soybean crop for 2025/26 has been reduced to 3.1 millions tons, down from the 3.2 million tonnes expected last month. However, this would still be 3% higher than this season's production.

Strategie Grains, in a summary report on EU oilseeds, did not provide any reasons for their latest estimates, but they have previously stated that rapeseed is growing better than it was last year when heavy rains damaged crops.

In Europe, rapeseed is mainly sown during the late summer or autumn. Sunflower and soybeans are sown during spring.

Strategie Grains stated that rapeseed prices have a downward potential at the end of this season, after a recent sharp increase. They are also expected to fall next season, given the recovery projected in EU supply.

If the EU doesn't impose tariffs against U.S. soybeans, prices on the EU market will remain relatively unchanged next season.

Strategie Grains said that the EU will import less soybeans from Brazil next season due to restrictions related to EU deforestation rules and Brazil's potential to focus its exports on China in light of trade tensions between Beijing Washington. Reporting by Gus Trompiz. (Editing by Louise Heavens, Mark Potter and Mark Potter.

(source: Reuters)