Old crop sunflower prices were down 50 cents to up 15 cents with new crop unchanged this week. October new crop prices are trading in a range of $21.90-$22.40 cash with AOG at $21.40-$21.90 at the crush plants. Deferred new crop contracts are offering premiums above these prices. Something else to consider when looking at new crop prices are the oil premiums that crush plants pay on sunflowers. 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. Sunflower planting continues in all states and is slightly ahead of the five-year averages in Colorado, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Kansas, South Dakota, and Texas are slightly behind the five-year average planting pace. In the past week, producers made excellent progress and planted an additional 175,250 acres pushing 2025 planted acres to about 464,000 acres. This represents 45% of this year’s projected planted acres and is ahead of the five-year average of 36%. Last year at this same time 35% of total projected acres were planted. In the next two weeks weather conditions are expected to be favorable for planting with above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation. Sunflower planting should pick up speed as growers across the U.S. finish sowing activities.

2025 new crop sunflower prices at the crush plants are available at cash $21.90-$22.40 and Act of God (AOG) $21.40-$21.90. 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 $22.40 contract increases to $24.65. 

Follow us on X @NatlSunflower