Russian farmers shift from wheat to sunflower and rapeseed, raising oversupply risks

Russian farmers are cutting grain area and shifting more land to sunflower and rapeseed, currently among the more profitable crops. As a result, oilseed plantings could reach record levels, raising the risk of oversupply and falling prices, according to Russian Grain Union President Arkady Zlochevsky.

Russia’s spring crop area fell by 1.8 mln ha in 2026, according to Rosstat. Total planted area is estimated at around 79 mln ha, compared with the Agriculture Ministry’s target of 83 mln ha. Farmers are shifting some land away from wheat and pulses toward more profitable oilseeds.

However, the rapid expansion of sunflower and rapeseed could undermine their profitability. Zlochevsky warned that record oilseed acreage may result in oversupply, while these crops currently help farmers offset losses in the grain segment.

Price pressure is already visible in the sunseed market. Forward prices for the new crop are quoted at RUB 24,000–25,000/t, compared with current prices of RUB 43,000–45,000/t, depending on the region. This means the new sunseed crop is already being valued at almost half the current market price.

If oilseed profitability also deteriorates sharply, Russian farmers may have few alternatives left other than reducing total planted area to limit losses, Zlochevsky said.