Break crop specialist United Oilseeds (UO) is predicting a 17% increase in the UK oilseed rape (OSR) area for harvest 2026 – which would still be the second smallest area since the early 1980s. But it is a positive result from the industry OSR Reboot campaign it has led over the last year.
The co-operative estimates the current winter OSR crop area at 283,000 hectares, a rise of 48,857ha from the 40-year low of 234,420ha planted for harvest 2025. The latest crop was helped by a 29% yield increase over the previous year. UK production in 2025 is estimated at 892,000 tonnes – a 7% increase on the 2024 harvest, despite its smaller planted area.
The growing crop has also established well, helped by this year’s early cereals harvest and favourable late summer and early autumn conditions. The company estimates establishment losses at just 1.5% this year, compared to 4% last year and 10% in autumn 2023.
“I know good establishment doesn’t necessarily translate to harvest,” acknowledges UO managing director James Warner. “However, I am hopeful that with the noticeably lower CFSB levels and the industry OSR Reboot collaboration over the ten strategies for managing CFSB in oilseed rape, we will see positive establishment turn into increased production next harvest.”
United Oilseeds reports a 25% rise in seed sales this autumn, which it attributes to returning confidence in the crop. “I’m extremely pleased to see the growth in seed sales this year,” says Mr Warner. “It feels like everything has aligned to deliver this strong uptick. We’ve worked hard and invested heavily in the OSR Reboot, which I hope has, in some part, contributed to this renewed confidence and the positive momentum we’re now seeing across the industry.”
The company says its market share remains solid at well over quarter of the certified seed market. It notes a continued move from conventional to hybrid oilseed rape varieties, as plant breeders continue to make progress in developing trait-loaded, resilient genetics. With conventional seed now representing just 10% of the total market, the Mike Pickford variety Pi Pinnacle is the clear leader with a 56% share of that segment.
| 2024 | 2025 | % change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 26,093 | 26,420 | 1 |
| Hybrid | 122,358 | 160,203 | 31 |
| HOLL | 7,000 | 11,200 | 60 |
| HEAR | 37,095 | 33,894 | -9 |
| Clubroot | 13,874 | 24,679 | 78 |
| Clearfield | 7,206 | 12,531 | 74 |
| TOTAL | 213,626 | 268,924 | 26 |
Source: United Oilseeds
LG Adapt (Limagrain UK) is the number one variety in the hybrid market category for harvest 2026. Aurelia (Limagrain) has topped the hybrids for many seasons but is now losing share to the growing strength and diversity of the new hybrids, notes Mr Warner.
The only OSR category to see a decline this year is the specialist High Erucic Acid (HEAR) varieties, with that market constrained by a reduction in export demand for industrial and technical oil.
The company also notes a 30% rise in the use of farm-saved seed this year, from 11,000ha in 2024 to 14,300ha.
“The rebound in the OSR crop area for harvest 2026, resulting in likely production just shy of one million tonnes, is a huge improvement from 12 months ago – but is still likely to see the requirement to import a further one million tonnes to satisfy UK demand,” warns Mr Warner.
“As part of the OSR Reboot initiative, United Oilseeds has been vocal in highlighting the need to restore UK oilseed rape to sustainable production levels – not only for the benefit of farmers, but for the wider economy, biodiversity and national food and feed security,” he concludes.