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.

Registration is open for the 2026 NSA Research Forum, scheduled for January 7-8, 2026 at the Holiday Inn (3803 13th Ave. S, Fargo, ND) Visit 2026 NSA Research Forum to register. You’ll find hotel information there also. The Holiday Inn will honor the special NSA Research Forum price of $119 (plus tax) per night if there are rooms available but you must ask for our block.  Call (701) 282-2700 to reserve your room. Registration fee is $150 until December 23, 2025, after which the fee increases to $165 until January 5, 2026. At that time, registration will close and registration at the door will be $190. The Forum will be an in-person event. No refunds will be given after December 23, 2025. If you have questions, contact Tina Mittelsteadt at tinam@sunflowernsa.com or visit our website.

Nearby sunflower prices at the crush plants ended the week unchanged to up 15 cents with 2026 new crop unchanged. Birdfood prices continue in an upward trend depending on location. A year ago, nearby sunflower prices were trading  around $20.00 at the crush plants. What a difference a year makes as reduced acreage, and production in 2024 along with low beginning stocks in October of this year have led to little harvest pressure this year. Nearby prices are $1.25-$1.30 per cwt. higher this year versus last year at this time.  It is very possible that the market low has already been established, and prices will remain relatively firm for the foreseeable future. USDA will release its supply and demand report this week. Traders are anticipating there won’t be any significant changes to corn, soybean and wheat production, stocks and usage. Surveying is currently underway for the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service’s (NASS) annual crop production report. Yield and acreage adjustments will likely be included in the January 2026 annual crop production report release. The report will feature a final estimate of 2025 sunflower yield, acreage, and production. The USDA Grain Stocks report released that day will also provide fresh insights to final 2024/25 usage figures that will determine 2025/26 beginning stocks numbers. In the near term, the market will be closely watching export demand news and South American oilseed production prospects which will determine price direction.

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