The rally in sunflower prices continued this week as new marketing year highs were set for old and new crop prices at the North Dakota crush plants. In the past week, old crop added 50 cents to $1.00 per cwt. with new crop unchanged to up 40 cents. At the beginning of the marketing year last October nearby prices were in a range of $20.70-$22.00 at the ND crush plants. Since that time nearby prices have increased by an impressive $6.00-$7.30 per cwt. The rally has also extended to 2026 new crop prices as well. New crop was in a range of $22.70-$22.80 back in October. From the time when 2026 prices rolled out new crop prices have added $1.40-$1.80 per cwt. and are now trading in a range of $24.20-$24.50. Something else to consider is the oil premiums that crush plants pay on sunflower. 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 new crop $24.50 contract increases to $26.95 and the nearby contract at $28.00 moves up to $30.80. In addition, both ND crush plants are offering early harvest delivery prices in a range of $25.40-$26.00. Desiccating the crop to harvest early may be a good option to take advantage of these attractive prices.
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