Romania develops second-crop sunflower production for SAF

Romania is looking at short-cycle sunflower as an additional feedstock source for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The concept involves planting sunflower after winter cereals on land that would otherwise remain idle between two main harvests.

This approach could provide farmers with an additional source of income without reducing acreage under food crops. The harvested seed could be used to produce oil for biofuel, while sunflower meal would remain available for the feed sector.

Interest in this segment is being supported by EU SAF policy. Under ReFuelEU Aviation, the share of sustainable aviation fuel in jet fuel must rise from 2% in 2025 to 6% in 2030 and 70% by 2050.

Corteva and bp joint venture Etlas plans to begin supplying initial volumes in 2027. By the mid-2030s, the company targets around 1 mln tons of oilseed feedstock annually, equivalent to approximately 800 thsd tons of biofuel.

Romania has a strong raw material base for this segment, ranking first in the EU in 2025 for both sunflower area and production. Expanding second-crop sunflower could increase SAF feedstock availability and intensify competition between food and biofuel markets.

Tags: Romania, sunseed, SAF, sustainable aviation fuel, aviation fuel