Sunflower Highlights

Post Date: Mar 14 2022

2021 Sunflower Crop Quality Report available online

The 2021 U.S. Sunflower Crop Quality Report is now available on the NSA website. To view the report, follow this link to our website: www.sunflowernsa.com/stats/us-crop-quality/. The U.S. Sunflower Crop Quality Report is produced annually by the National Sunflower Association. The report contains useful information about sunflower acreage and production, confection and oil-type seed quality, mid-oleic and high oleic oil quality analysis and oil traits, product specifications, oil trading rules, statistics on marketing the crop, world and U.S. supply and demand tables, sunflower oil and meal exports for the United States and other related topics of interest to those in the industry.

Sunflower Production Conference Video Link Available

If you missed the ‘2022 Getting-it-Right in Sunflower Production,’ video conference you can now access it on-line. Topics covered ranged from hybrid selection, what has been learned from the fall 2021 sunflower survey, plant nutrient and soil management, updates for weed, disease and insect management, and sunflower marketing. The program was conducted by North Dakota State University Extension. Recording and resources are available at https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/getting-it-right, scroll to the conference video section and click the sunflower meeting link. Each individual talk has its own video clip. Additional publications and resources are available under the sunflower conference resources.

Markets

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has significantly impacted global markets. Since the start of the conflict, oilseed crush facilities and ports in Ukraine have suspended operations, and other countries have imposed sanctions on Russia limiting trade from the region. How big of a deal is this? In a typical year, Ukraine, and Russia account for about 75 to 80 percent of global sunflower meal and sunflower oil trade. Finding alternative vegetable oils will be a challenge in a market that has been facing tight supplies even before the events in Ukraine. How long Ukraine’s exports are shut down is unknown. The war likely will disrupt spring planting progress in Ukraine as well. The recent surge in new crop prices are encouraging U.S. farmers to increase sunflower acres in 2022 to help replace some of the oil output that will be lost from the Black Sea trade disruptions. Since the invasion began new crop prices have increased $2.85-$3.55 per cwt. 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 AOG $30.05 contract increases to $33.05, and the cash $31.90 contract moves close to $35.10. Take another look at sunflowers and you might be looking at the most profitable crop to grow in 2022!

Confection processors looking to add 2022 acres

Recovering demand after Covid shutdowns has confection processors looking to add 2022 acres. Confection sunflowers have been one of the highest returns per acre options available for several years and have been setting new market highs following the current rally in grain prices. Processors are currently offering 2022 Act of God (AOG) production contracts starting at a minimum of $40.00 and upwards per cwt. The crop insurance price guarantee for this year is $40.50, the highest price since 2011. With current dry conditions across the main growing region, confections offer a good alternative for growers to consider based on lower moisture needs and input costs. If you have not looked into growing confection sunflowers for a few years, take another look and you’ll be surprised how this crop’s genetics have changed. Clearfield® and ExpressSun® confection hybrids are available. To talk to processors about contracting opportunities use this link: Buyers and Sellers (sunflowernsa.com)

Hybrid seed still plentiful

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused a dramatic surge in new crop NuSun and high oleic sunflower prices as crush plants continue to offer cash and Act of God contracts for 2022 production. The U.S. and Canada have an excellent opportunity to supply additional sunflower oil to the market that will be lost due to the Black Sea trade disruptions. The NSA office has received calls from growers looking for hybrid planting seed for this growing season. Seed supplies are still plentiful and there is still time to place an order to put in some acres this growing season to take advantage of this exceptional market opportunity. Hybrid seed suppliers can be found using this link: Buyers and Sellers (sunflowernsa.com)

Upcoming Events

June 28-30, 2022 - NSA Summer Seminar; Grand Forks, ND

Markets at a glance

Weekly Prices Recorded on Monday, March 14, 2022 ($/CWT)

	Deliver	Last Year	Last Week	This Week	Change	2022 NEW Crop
Chicago Oil	Nearby	55.09	78.15	78.73	+.58	64.10
West Fargo, ND	NuSun	22.00	33.90	35.00	+1.10	30.90
West Fargo, ND	High Oleic	22.65	34.50	35.50	+1.00	31.90
Enderlin, ND	NuSun	22.20	33.90	35.60	+1.70	30.75
Enderlin, ND	High Oleic	22.55	34.40	36.10	+1.70	31.35
Lamar, CO	High Oleic	21.80	33.25	34.60	+1.35	30.60

U.S. CRUDE OIL VALUES recorded on Monday, March 14, 2022
(dollars per 100 lb. internal U.S. location)

	Last Year	Last Week	This Week	Change
Soybean Oil	61.09	82.22	81.95	-.27
Cotton Oil (pbsy)	90.09	104.22	103.95	-.27
Corn Oil	69.00	93.00	113.00	+20.00

Prices recorded here are believed to be reliable at the time of posting. All prices are subject to change. Contact these facilities for complete market details.

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