France heading for sharp drop in rapeseed output

France faces a steep fall in rapeseed production next year after dry conditions reduced sowings of the oilseed, consultancy ODA Groupe said on Friday, confirming an outlook it gave last month. The rapeseed area for next year's crop is expected to shrink by 7.5 percent, ODA said, citing a follow-up survey with clients in early November.
The consultancy in early October had projected an 8 percent fall in the rapeseed area. It reiterated its forecast for 2017 rapeseed production of around 4 million tonnes, down from 4.6 million in last summer's harvest. The reduced area forecast took account of farmers ploughing up failed crop, with fields expected to be resown with cereals, ODA said.