31.03.2026, 00:24
Global sunflower production may reach a record level
Farmers are shifting crop structures in favor of oilseeds
According to analysts at Oil World, under favorable weather conditions, global sunflower production in the 2026/27 marketing year could reach 62–63 million tons. This would significantly exceed the current season’s 56.9 million tons and surpass the previous record of 59.4 million tons set in 2023/24.
It is noted that farmers in several countries are revising crop structures, reducing areas under corn and other fertilizer-intensive crops in favor of sunflower and soybeans. As a result, global sunflower planting areas in 2026/27 could increase to a record 34.1 million hectares compared to 32.8 million hectares in the previous season.
In the European Union, sunflower planting areas are expected to rise by about 0.2 million hectares this spring to reach 4.9 million hectares. The largest increases are projected in France, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Spain. This could boost sunflower production in the EU to 9.6–9.7 million tons, approximately 1 million tons higher than last year.
The largest production increases in the next season are expected in Russia and Ukraine, reaching 20–21 million tons and 12.5–13 million tons respectively.
