Cooperstown, ND grower Scott Tranby says he is done harvesting his sunflower. He says this year’s crop is better than he has had in many years. Weather has been great in his area for harvesting. Yields were 2000-2500. Moisture level was 8.9, with oil content 47. He hasn’t received test weight information back yet but expects it to be around 33 pounds.

Sunflower prices continue to remain strong at the crush plants. October and November prices are in the range of $23.00-$26.50 per cwt depending on the location. 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. For example, the $26.00 contract increases to $28.60 when the oil premium is added. Another week of largely clear weather allowed sunflower harvest progress to advance. About 26% of sunflowers were in the bin as of last week, up from 16% seven days earlier and equal to the prior five-year average of 26% for this time of year, the USDA said. In the past week, producers harvested an additional 122,905 acres pushing 2026 harvested acres to about 329,390 acres. Weather in the next two weeks is expected to remain warmer than average with a slight chance of precipitation in the sunflower growing region. This will aid in getting the harvest done in a timely manner.

Here’s your chance to be a part of the National Sunflower Association’s Research Forum. We are looking for research papers to be presented at the NSA Research Forum, set for January 13-14, 2027, in Fargo, ND. Presentations may be either oral or in the form of a poster. A time will be designated for authors to be with their posters and answer questions. Each oral presentation will be limited to 15-17 minutes with 2-3 minutes allowed for questions. Visit 2027 Call for Papers if you are interested in presenting a paper. You do not have to submit the actual paper or poster at this time, just the information indicated online and the author information. Submissions must be completed by December 8, 2026.

Exports of kernel are down 22% from a year ago, from 3,014 metric tons (MT) to 2,362 MT from October 2025 to August 2026. Canada remains the top importer of U.S. sunflower kernel, importing 1,552 MT. In-shell exports decreased 29% from 5,381 MT to 3,809 MT from October 2025 to August 2026. Mexico remains the top importer of in-shell sunflower, importing 2,455 MT with Greece second importing 956 MT during the period. Sunflower oil exports are down 35% from a year ago, from 21,492 MT to 13,955 MT from October 2025 to August 2026. Canada remains the top importer, importing 9,801 MT down 20% from a year ago. Mexico is the number two destination importing 1,849 MT during the period.

January 13-14, 2027 - NSA Research Forum; Holiday Inn; Fargo, ND 

June 22-24, 2027 - NSA Summer Seminar; Detroit Lakes, MN

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