Bulgaria: Oilseeds and Products Market Update

FAS/Sofia’s marketing year (MY) 2023/24 sunflower production estimate is lowered to 1.7 million metric tons (MMT) based on the final harvest data. The sunflower crop suffered from severe and prolonged summer drought and high heat which reduced yields considerably. The rapeseed crop is also lowered to 235,000 MT due to much smaller area harvested, compared to area planted, as a result of high crop losses and abandonment. Smaller oilseed crops, along with reduced farm-gate prices compared to MY 2022/23, have made farmers reluctant sellers. They are holding more stocks. Because of tight supplies, crushers have been eager to import more oilseeds to complement limited domestic supplies. For sunflower seeds, however, imports from Ukraine are still restricted. MY 2023/24 rapeseed imports have doubled so far this marketing year. MY 2024/25 fall planting of rapeseed has been challenging due to an unusually dry and warm fall. Planted area is projected to decline.