Oilseed rape falls to £400/t but margins remain for growers

UK oilseed rape prices came under pressure during July and August before settling at roughly £400/t in early September.

The domestic trade continues to track wider global oilseed markets, with the November contract for Paris rapeseed futures down 10% since peaking in late June.

Delivered rapeseed prices are currently quoted at £400/t to £410/t, while OSR prices collected by Farmers Weekly averaged £393/t ex-farm on 3 September.

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Harvest for oilseed rape has finished across much of Europe, and the sunflower harvest is under way, adding further supply for oilseed crushing plants.

The 2025-26 EU rapeseed production estimate was revised up marginally last week by the European Commission to 18.8m tonnes, piling further pressure on domestic prices.

Falling crude oil prices also weighed on oilseed markets over summer, although recent price increases could offer some support.

Brent crude stood at US$67.92 (£50.63) a barrel on 3 September, up 3.5% over the past fortnight and back in line with month-earlier levels.

Traders at grain merchant ADM say ample supply and geopolitical uncertainty remain the dominant themes moving forward.

UK crop

Defra estimated the English oilseeds area at 204,000ha as of 1 June, down 18% on 2024 and the smallest area recorded since 1983.

However, higher average yields may partially offset some of the loss in production resulting from the reduced area.

Traders at Frontier report that the UK harvest produced among the highest average yields in recent history, adding some optimism for growers.

Average UK winter oilseed rape yields have been estimated by the AHDB at 3.7t/ha, while grower-owned co-operative and marketing specialist United Oilseeds suggested it could be closer to 4t/ha.

Based on this, United Oilseeds calculated that OSR could be the top gross-margin crop on many arable farms this year, with revenue potentially reaching £1,600/ha, assuming a yield of 4t/ha and a selling price £400/t, with gross margins in excess of £1,000/ha achievable.

James Warner, managing director of United Oilseeds, said its growers were delighted to see yields lift this year and many still regarded it as the number one break crop.

He added: “Lower flea beetle pressure, favourable growing conditions, and major advances from seed breeders have all played their part.

“We’re optimistic that this will encourage more growers to bring OSR back into their plans for the season ahead.”

Recent rainfall may offer some relief to growers looking to drill next year’s crop, following exceptionally dry conditions over summer.