Nearby prices are unchanged to up 15 cents with 2026 new crop prices unchanged this week. October and November prices are in the range of $20.80-$21.00 per cwt depending on the location. Nearby prices are $1.95-$2.00 per cwt. higher than a year ago at this same time. Per Oil World, global sunflower production for 2025/26, is estimated at 57.6 million metric tons (MMT), reflecting a recovery of only 2.1 MMT from last year’s low level. Back in June, initial production estimates were in the range of 60-61 MMT. Sunflower seed production is turning out sharply below earlier expectations, primarily in the Black Sea region. Oil World made downward revisions for Russia, Ukraine and some European Union member countries due to reports about considerably lower than expected yields per hectare. Harvesting started late and was still running sizably behind last year in Russia and Ukraine. Sunflower production in the European Union is not coming up to expectations as well. Harvest was not complete but yield reports resulted in Oil World reducing its production estimate to only 8.58 MMT, the smallest in nine years and even down slightly from last year’s drought, reduced 8.68 MMT. Heat and dryness curbed yields and production for the second consecutive year. Currently the estimate for Argentina’s sunflower seed crop is at 5.4 MMT for early 2026.
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 $22.80 cash and $22.30 AOG. Cargill is at $22.70 cash and $22.20 AOG. Colorado Mills is at $23.00 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 $22.20-$22.30 contract increases to a range of $24.45-$24.55, and the cash $22.70-$23.00 contract moves up to $25.00-$25.30.
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