Nearby and 2026 new crop prices were unchanged at the crush plants this week. We are in the price discovery process for 2026 crop insurance price elections. Based on the current CBoT December contract price the projected price for oil sunflower would be about $27.80 with confections at $36.00. Last year the projected price for oil sunflower was $24.00 with confections at $32.20. Currently, projected prices are not known, as February is just beginning. However, current futures levels provide reasonable indications of 2026 projected prices. To follow sunflower price election trends, watch the 2026 CBoT December soyoil contract through February 27. Final price elections will be announced in early March. On the CBoT, traders are squaring positions ahead of the next World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report from USDA. In the week ahead CBoT traders will be keeping tabs on South American weather conditions and the latest USDA yield and production forecasts. Some market analysts think the market is acting like another big crop is coming in South America, regardless of what forecasters predict. Some believe that to see a significant 2026 price upside, the world would need to see weather related supply shortages develop this year.
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 $22.60 cash and $22.10 AOG. Cargill is at $22.50 cash and $22.00 AOG. Colorado Mills is at $22.75 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-$22.10 contract increases to a range of $24.20-$24.30 and the cash $22.50-$22.60 contract moves up to $24.75-$24.85.
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