Sunflower prices followed the slide in canola and soy product prices this week. Nearby prices were down 75 cents to $2.00 with new crop down 70 cents to $1.00. Next week expect a lot of market chatter about projected U.S. planted acreage. USDA releases its first official planted acreage estimates in the March Prospective Plantings Report on March 31. The March numbers typically change following planting, but it is the first look at acres for traders. Changes could be in store in the June 30 Acreage Report depending on how planting goes this spring. Traders are hoping for an ideal growing season with good yields to restock domestic supplies. As always, mother nature has the final say in what gets planted. Currently North Dakota and Minnesota have a large area with a deep snowpack. Below normal temperatures are forecast to linger into mid-April. A cool and wet spring has the potential to throw off planting progress and rotations. Without favorable planting weather across the Northern and High Plains states in the coming weeks acreage shifts could occur. As a result, planted acres are likely to remain a moving target for the next couple months leading to market volatility. Traders will also focus on South American oilseed production prospects. Drought has reduced the prospects for Argentina’s soybean and sunflower crops. In addition, the market is monitoring the impact of the Black Sea Grain Initiative which was renewed for another 60 days. Follow us on Twitter @NatlSunflower