Planting of the 2019 sunflower crop is complete in most states. Some double crop sunflowers were still being planted in the High Plains but that should have wrapped up as well. In states reporting crop conditions, the crop is being rated at 75 to 81 percent good to excellent condition. This comparable to last year at this same time. Above trend yields are expected if current crop conditions continue. Mid-August through September is the critical time frame for sunflowers. Sunflower prices have held up quite well given all the market turmoil. Old and new crop finished down 10 to up 10 cents this week. The sunflower market is reflecting supply and demand fundamentals for this time of year. News was scant after negotiators from the U.S. and China spoke by phone for only the second time since the trade war truce at the end of June. Lack of Chinese buying of U.S. farm goods has been a key source of friction in trying to get the talks going again. Weather has not been much of a concern for CBoT traders so far this summer. The current stretch of hot temperatures across the Midwest hasn’t been much of a price factor as milder summer temperatures are expected to return and will be more crop friendly even though there is not much rain in the forecast for the next two weeks. In the week ahead, sunflower trading will be influenced by crop conditions and progress along with weather conditions.