News

The 2025–26 rapeseed crop has been experiencing flowering difficulties that have been widely observed over the past 10–15 days, with plants that are weakened but often still capable of compensating. The mild, wet winter led to early and rapid regrowth and stem elongation, causing a mismatch between growth and the supply of nitrogen and assimilates.

Flea beetle larvae have been significantly more prevalent than in the past 3–4 years.
The terminal bud weevil has remained confined to its traditional areas (Centre, Champagne, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Auvergne), causing consistent damage to young rapeseed plants in particular. Cabbage root maggots were observed early across the entire country, with more moderate pressure in the Grand Est and Hauts-de-France regions. The western regions (Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Poitou-Charentes), however, experienced exceptional, even unprecedented, pressure.  

All these pests weakened the plants and exacerbated bud loss.

The episodes of frost and wide temperature swings in March are fairly typical for the season. Their impact remains difficult to quantify, but they likely played an aggravating role in certain situations, particularly in Burgundy, Centre, Île-de-France, Normandy, and Pays de la Loire. Sensitivity is heightened in cases of low or heterogeneous biomass (Burgundy, Champagne-Ardenne, Auvergne).

Regions with later development (Lorraine, Alsace), where rapeseed remains less advanced than elsewhere (mostly at stage E as of March 25), appear less impacted for now. However, several factors already point to converging trends and scenarios. To be continued.