Many farmers are considering planting oilseed rape in the coming weeks.

Many crops have been cleared earlier than usual so it is making it an ideal time to plant the crop. It should get off to a good start and use any nitrogen that is in the soil.

In this article we take a look at the French oilseed rape price for November for 2023, 2024 and 2025. This price is probably the most realistic bar for Irish farmers to use for their harvest price, minus drying costs. The prices detailed are the closing price for each week.

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The 2024 and 2025 prices have been fairly consistent. European rape area looks to be fairly stable at present which could help prices. However, countries like Canada and Australia are big producers of oilseed rape and their production should be kept an eye on. Soybean prices will also impact on prices.

The price this year peaked at €512/t. around week 26/27 and in 2024 the price peaked at €514.50/t around week 28/29.

The 2025 price has been fairly consistent. The lowest price of the year was €463/t (dried). However, it should be noted the November rapeseed price was falling this week. The price closed at €475/t on 1 August, down €10.75/t on the week before. It was at €473.75/t on 6 August and €477.75/t on 7 August.

Reporting on oilseed rape prices this week the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board stated: “Conversely, the price of Paris rapeseed futures for delivery in November reached a two-year high at the start of August. Though during the 2020/21 and 2021/22 periods, the price was significantly higher than the current level.

“If prices were to follow seasonal trends, rapeseed futures may stabilise in September before attempting to establish an upward trend in October.”

Profits

Growers can also apply for the Straw Incorporation Measure on the crop, which provides a payment of €150/ha (€60/ac).

Teagasc costs and returns data for 2025 placed total variable costs at €613/ac (€1,517/ha) this year. Yields ranged from 1.8t/ac to 2.5t/ac.

At a yield of 2.1t/ac and a price of €465/t that brings total income from the oilseed rape to €976.5/ac, plus €60/ac brings it to €1,036.50/ac. Minus costs of €613/ac this brings profit to €423.50/ac. €465/t was one of the highest prices available this year.

At a price of €435/t, which was one of the lowest prices available this year, and a yield of 2.1t/ac this brings income from the oilseed rape to €913.50/ac plus €60, brings income to €973.50/ac. Taking off costs of €613/ac this brings profits to €360.50/ac.