Nearby sunflower prices at the crush plants ended the week up 25 to 50 cents with new crop up 20 to 50 cents. Birdfood prices continue in an upward trend depending on location. A year ago, harvest pressure and heavy producer selling caused prices to crash and nearby sunflower prices were trading in a range of $16.00-$17.00 at the crush plants. What a difference a year makes as reduced acreage, and production have led to little harvest pressure this year. Nearby prices are $3.60-$3.85 per cwt. higher this year versus last year at this time.  Overall, high oleic prices continue to trade 90 cents to $1.00 per cwt. higher than the 60-day moving average at the crush plants. It is very possible that the market low has already been established and prices will remain relatively firm for the foreseeable future. USDA will release its supply and demand report this week. Traders are anticipating there won’t be any significant changes to corn, soybean and wheat production, stocks and usage. Surveying is currently underway for the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service’s (NASS) annual crop production report. Yield and acreage adjustments will likely be included in the January 2025 annual crop production report release. Updates from USDA’s October estimates on sunflower yield, acreage and production will be in the January report as well. In the near term, the market will be closely watching export demand news and South American oilseed production prospects which will determine price direction.

2025 new crop sunflower prices at the crush plants are available at cash $22.00 and Act of God (AOG) $21.50-$22.20. 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 $22.00 contract increases to $24.20. 

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