NSA Board Elects 2026 Officers
Onida, S.D., producer Chuck Todd was re-elected as president of the National Sunflower Association Board of Directors at the board meeting held on December 3-4. Brighton, Colo., producer Tom Kirkmeyer will continue to serve as NSA board chairman for the coming year.
Josh Greff, from Regent, N.D, was re-elected as NSA first vice president, while Kennedy, Minn., producer Tom Dowdle, was re-elected second vice president. Lacey Zahradka of Archer Daniels Midland was re-elected NSA secretary/treasurer.
Oil World Dims Global Production
Per German-based Oil World, global sunflower production for 2025/26 is presently estimated at 56.96 million metric tons (MMT), reflecting a recovery of only 1.6 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. Sunflower production in the European Union is not coming up to expectations as well.
Harvest was not complete as of these estimates, but yield reports resulted in Oil World reducing its production estimate to only 8.56 MMT, the smallest in nine years and even down slightly from last year’s drought-reduced 8.67 MMT. Currently, the estimate for Argentina’s sunflower seed crop is at 5.5 MMT for early 2026.
2024/25 U.S. Sunflower Exports
Exports of U.S. sunflower kernel were down 7% during the 2024/25 marketing year compared to 2023/24, from 3,235 metric tons (MT) to 3,014 MT from October 2024 to August 2025. Canada remains the top importer of U.S. sunflower kernel, importing 1,999 MT.
In-shell exports decreased from 12,425 MT to 5,381 MT from October 2024 to August 2025. Mexico remains the top importer of in-shell confection sunflower, importing 2,284 MT, with Canada second at 1,683 MT during the same period.
Sunflower oil exports declined 11% from a year ago, from 24,138 MT to 21,492 MT in October 2024 to August 2025. Canada remains the top importer, importing 12,267 MT, down 22% from the previous year. Mexico is the number two destination, importing 3,469 MT during the 2024/25 period.
Canadian Sunflower Seed Production Increases in 2025
According to Statistics Canada data, 2025 Canadian sunflower seed production is estimated at 69,128 metric tons (MT), which is up 36% from 2024.
Last year Canadian farmers produced 50,680 MT of sunflower seed. The 2025 production is below the five-year average of 80,680 MT. The majority of Canada’s sunflower crop is grown in Manitoba, with production also in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
USDA Collecting 2025 Crop Production & Stocks Data
With the 2025 growing season at an end, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is contacting producers nationwide to gather final year-end crop production numbers and the amount of grain and oilseeds stored on their farms. At the same time, NASS is surveying grain facility operators to determine year-end off-farm grain and oilseed stocks. Responses to the survey will be used in calculating county-level yields, which have a direct impact on farmers. USDA’s Farm Service Agency may use the data in administering producer programs and in determining disaster assistance program calculations.
All responses are completely confidential. Survey results will be published in several reports, including the Crop Production Annual Summary and the quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released in January. These and all NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
Research Forum Registration Open for January 7 & 8 Event
The 2026 National Sunflower Association Research Forum is set for January 7 and 8 at the Holiday Inn in Fargo, N.D. For registration information and program details, visit www.sunflowernsa.com and go to ‘2026 NSA Research Forum.’ An early bird registration rate applies up until December 23.
The January event constitutes the 47th annual Sunflower Research Forum, featuring oral presentations and posters.
Next NDSU ‘Getting It Right’ Webinar Set for January 13
The 2026 North Dakota State University Extension ‘Getting It Right’ sunflower webinar is scheduled for January 13, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, CST. Sponsored by the National Sunflower Association, the webinar is free to all interested persons. It features presentations by NDSU sunflower crop specialists on a variety of topics pertaining to current research and crop management recommendations. Among the presenters will be broadleaf pathology specialist Sam Markell, extension entomologist Janet Knodel, extension soil specialist Brady Goettl, extension weed specialist Joe Ikley, extension broadleaf specialist Ana Carcedo and agricultural economist Frayne Olson. Page Klug of USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services also will give a presentation on blackbird management research.
To register, utilize the QR code in the advertisement elsewhere in this issue of The Sunflower.
NDSU ‘Wild World of Weeds’ Workshop Scheduled for Jan. 20
North Dakota State University Extension will host the 28th annual Wild World of Weeds workshop on January 20 at the Fargodome, Fargo, N.D. The full-day event will provide updates on weed control and herbicide research conducted by NDSU faculty. The keynote address will be delivered by Aaron Hager, professor of weed science at the University of Illinois.
The workshop is open to all, but registration is required. For details, go to ndsu.ag/WWWW26.
High Plains No-Till Conference Scheduled for February 3 & 4
The Colorado Conservation Tillage Association’s 2026 High Plains No-Till Conference is scheduled for February 3 and 4 in Burlington, Colo. Along with keynote speakers John Kempf, Erin Martin and Don Day, Jr., more than 45 breakout learning sessions are scheduled on topics covering soil health, no-till, regenerative grazing and farm business management.
For more information on the February CCTA event or to register for it, visit www.HighPlainsNoTill.com.
Suggestions Welcomed for Upcoming Magazine Issues
With another production season now complete, the National Sunflower Association staff has initiated a new publishing season for The Sunflower magazine — an industry fixture since 1975.
“Our goal with the magazine is to provide news and articles of real interest and use to our readership — which consists mainly of sunflower producers around the U.S. and Canada,” says John Sandbakken, NSA executive director and magazine editor. “Our ongoing objective is to provide timely, useful information, and we always welcome readers’ suggestions for potential topics or persons to interview for articles.”
Story suggestions can be submitted to johns@sunflowernsa.com.
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