Nearby prices were unchanged with new crop up 75 cents at the ND crush plants this week. In its recent world supply and demand report USDA increased global sunflower seed production in MY 2026/27 to 62.6 million metric tons (MMT) due to higher production in Russia. Ukraine’s sunflower production forecast was reduced as farmers planted less sunflowers than expected. The European Union sunflower production forecast for MY 2026/27 was reduced on a lower yield forecast. France experienced high temperatures and dry conditions, resulting in this yield decline. Higher production could result in global sunflower seed ending stocks increasing by 45% in MY 2026/27. Russia accounts for majority of the increase. With the higher global sunflower seed supply, the MY 2026/27 global sunflower seed crush is forecasted to reach 55.8 MMT, which is 10% higher than in MY 2025/26. Global sunflower oil production is projected to reach 23.6 MMT, also up 12% from MY 2025/26. Despite the higher global supply of sunflower oil, global sunflower oil stocks are projected to be 1.46 MMT by the end of September 2027 which represents only 7% stocks to use. Very warm to hot temperatures in the past week along with drier soil conditions have pushed the crop toward maturity in the Dakotas and Minnesota. If possible and if the crop has matured to a point where it can be desiccated and harvested, it is advisable to do so. Getting the crop harvested several weeks early can result in higher yields and lower drying costs. It can also reduce late season crop damage and blackbird damage.
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