EU expects largest sunseed harvest in three years

The European Commission expects EU sunflower seed production to reach slightly more than 9.5 mln tons in 2026, up more than 9% from the previous year and the largest crop since 2023. The Commission has therefore maintained its April production forecast.

The increase will be driven by both larger planted area and recovering yields. EU sunflower area expanded by around 5% to 4.9 mln ha, while the average yield is forecast at 1.95 t/ha, slightly above the long-term average. This compares with 1.87 t/ha in 2025 and just 1.74 t/ha in 2024.

Romania is expected to remain the EU’s largest sunflower seed producer despite a reduction in planted area to 1.1 mln ha. Improved yields could lift production to 2.2 mln tons from 2.1 mln tons last year. Bulgaria is set to move into second place among the EU’s largest producers, with output expected at nearly 2.1 mln tons.

Germany is also significantly expanding sunseed production, with planted area increasing for the second consecutive year. In 2026, sunflower area reached 98 thsd ha, likely the largest on record. Production is expected at around 222 thsd tons, up 79 thsd tons from 2025. The expansion partly reflects farmers’ growing interest in diversifying crop rotations by adding another spring crop.

Weather conditions, however, remain the main risk to the crop’s potential. Heat and water shortages have already reduced oilseed yield prospects in several regions. France has been particularly affected, with sunflower crops suffering from persistent drought and heat waves during the summer.

The European Commission currently forecasts the French sunseed harvest at nearly 1.5 mln tons, around 60 thsd tons above 2025. However, the increase will be driven mainly by an approximately 11% expansion in planted area, while yields are expected to remain disappointing. Despite weather problems in some countries, larger area and an overall recovery in yields are expected to give the EU its largest sunflower seed harvest in three years.