Nearby sunflower prices were up 35 to 40 cents this week with new crop up 40 to 50 cents at the North Dakota crush plants. ADM rolled out a $22.60 new crop bid at Pingree, ND last week. The new crop price at Colorado Mills was down 30 cents. RMA has calculated crop insurance prices for spring crops. On the sunflower side, the projected price is 22% higher than last year at $29.40 for oil-type sunflower and 17% higher for confection sunflower at $37.60. The markets were dominated by the Middle East conflict for most of last week. The oilseed complex has ongoing support from rallying crude petroleum oil and soyoil prices amid concern over Iran war disruptions. On Tuesday, USDA will release its latest monthly Supply and Demand report. The trade will be watching for any adjustments to the U.S. and global soybean balance sheets, as well as any changes to South American production. The report isn’t expected to show any major revisions to grain and soybean balance sheets. The agency’s annual Prospective Plantings and quarterly Grain Stocks reports on March 31 likely will carry a bigger market impact. According to most traders the next major round of USDA reports in late March will set the tone for prices. Needless to say, the market will be closely monitoring developments in the Middel East in the near term, along with export demand news and South American oilseed production prospects.
ADM Enderlin, Cargill West Fargo and Colorado Mills crush plants are offering 2026 new crop cash and Act of God (AOG) High Oleic contracts. ADM is at $23.10 cash and $22.60 AOG. Cargill is at $23.00 cash and 22.50 AOG. Colorado Mills is at $22.20 AOG. 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 AOG $22.50 contract increases to $24.75 and the cash $23.10 contract moves up to $25.40.
Cargill West Fargo is also offering an early harvest 2026 new crop price of $24.25 cash and $23.75 AOG with delivery by October 9.
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