Nearby prices are up 20 cents with 2026 new crop contracts unchanged at the crush plants. Sunflower is the only oilseed that pays premiums for oil content above 40%. Considering oil premiums that are offered at the crush plants on oil content above 40% at a rate of 2% price premium for each 1% of oil above 40%; this pushes a contract with 45% oil content gross return 10% higher per cwt. The $22.80 contract increases to $25.10. On January 12, the USDA will issue an important monthly USDA report which will include updated US and World Supply and Demand tables, US Winter Wheat plantings, and Quarterly Stocks. In the report USDA will release its latest estimate of 2025/26 US and global sunflower production. In December, USDA estimated global sunflower seed production at 51.8 million metric tons, down 1% from 2024/25. Lower production in Ukraine is the leading factor for the decrease. Ukrainian sunflower production estimates remain murky due to the ongoing war, but production is anticipated to be around 19% lower than 2024. The European Union and Turkey are expected to have lower than average production as well. On the CBoT, trading has been driven by positioning ahead of next week’s USDA reports, stronger dollar, demand news and La Nina weather conditions in South America.
ADM Enderlin, Cargill West Fargo and Colorado Mills crush plants are offering 2026 new crop cash and Act of God (AOG) High Oleic contracts. ADM is at $22.80 cash and $22.30 AOG. Cargill is at $22.50 cash and $22.00 AOG. Colorado Mills is at $23.00 AOG. Something else to consider is the oil premiums that crush plants pay on sunflowers. Sunflower is the only oilseed that pays premiums for oil content above 40%. Considering oil premiums that are offered at the crush plants on oil content above 40% at a rate of 2% price premium for each 1% of oil above 40%; this pushes a contract with 45% oil content gross return 10% higher per cwt. The AOG $22.00-$22.30 contract increases to a range of $24.20-$24.55, and the cash $22.50-$23.00 contract moves up to $24.75-$25.30.
Follow us on X @NatlSunflower