This episode examines the latest trends in the global sunflower market.

• The European Union forecasts sunflower seed production at approximately 8.5 million tons for 2025, reflecting a 3% increase over the previous year. This rise occurs despite a slight reduction in sown areas to just under 4.8 million hectares. While average yields have improved to 18 centners per hectare from 17.4 last year, they remain below the long-term average of 20.1. Romania and Hungary continue to lead production, expecting harvests of 1.7 million and 1.8 million tons respectively. Germany has significantly expanded its planted areas to 61,000 hectares, nearly doubling since 2022, and is forecasted to produce 150,000 tons.
• In contrast, France faces continued declines. Production is expected to fall below 1.5 million tons, exacerbated by prolonged drought, high temperatures, and a 9% reduction in sown areas. This keeps output well below the typical average of 1.8 million tons.
• Kyrgyzstan's sunflower seed exports have surged, reaching 1,900 tons in the first eight months of 2025, a 6.5-fold increase year-over-year. However, this export growth has come with a sharp price drop from $1.68 per kilogram in 2023 to just $0.40 in 2025, potentially challenging long-term profitability.
• Globally, sunflower seed prices climbed to 28,000 Ukrainian hryvnia per ton by late October, even as harvests progressed slowly. Yield improvements to 1.88 tons per hectare have sparked some optimism. At the same time, adjustments in the broader oil market could limit further price increases. Expanded global sown areas, now totaling more than 5.2 million hectares, point to a strategic push to strengthen production capacity and reshape market balance.