Strategie Grains has revised the forecasted EU and UK oilseed rape harvest downwards for the sixth month in a row.

The agro-economic consultancy firm now estimates the harvest will amount to 16.54 million tonnes compared with 16.68 million estimated a month ago.

If realised, the 2020 harvest will be lower than last year's poor crop and would mark a new low since 2006.

"EU rapeseed production is again revised down, to 16.5 million tonnes, due to rains returning too late in June to improve conditions for rapeseed crops in western and southeastern EU countries," Strategie Grains said in an oilseed crop report, according to Reuters.

A combination of the dry spring in parts of Europe coupled with insect damage has resulted in the further downgrade. However, fields in northern EU countries are said to be in better condition.

Imports

Strategie Grains increased its projection of EU rapeseed imports in the 2020/21 season to a record 6.2 million tonnes, but trimmed its outlook for the volume of rapeseed expected to be crushed in the bloc, it said.