Nearby prices were unchanged to up 25 cents with new crop unchanged at the crush plants this week. USDA released its planted acres report this week. Area planted to sunflower in 2026 increased 5% from 2025 and totals 1,348,000 acres. Compared with last year, growers in five of the eight major sunflower production states showed an increase in planted acreage this year, with South Dakota having the largest increase in acreage from last year. The harvested area is expected to increase 5% from last year to 1,301,800 acres. Planted area of oil type varieties, at 1,224,000 acres, is up 3% from 2025, and harvested area is expected to increase 3% from last year to 1,187,000 acres. Planted acreage of non-oil varieties, estimated at 124,000 acres is up 25% from last year. The harvested area is expected to increase 25% from last year to 114,800 acres. Planted acres were 3% lower than the agency’s March estimate of 1,385,500 acres, a difference of 37,500 acres. Compared with the March planting intentions report oil type acres decreased by 70,000 with confection up 32,500 acres. At the time the survey was conducted planting was still going on in several states so acreage figures could change in the next report. With the release of the USDA report, the key to oilseed prices going forward will be U.S. summer weather and demand news.
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