Agriculture, Estonia, Good for Business, Markets and Companies

The first rape crops have been harvested in southern Estonia's Setomaa.

Hindrek Muts, manager of LLC Alex Agro, said the company's first field provided an average of three tons per hectare.

The prices of the rapeseed are expected at a high level too, as farmers say.

"Prices have risen 10 to 15% compared to last year and this spring, and all will be well if the sale price stays the same," Muts noted.

A good selling price does not necessarily mean higher profits, because costs for fertilizer could rise in the following spring.

Rape can be a relatively profitable crop, but to avoid low fertility and diseases it can be sown on the same field only once every four years. The crops must be rotated with cultures such as wheat, barley and oats to maintain successful farming.