Sunseed production in the EU could reach its highest level in recent years

The European Union is expected to significantly increase sunseed production in the 2026/27 marketing year after last season’s drought-reduced crop. According to Germany’s Oil World, production is forecast to reach 9.8 mln tons, up 1.1 mln tons from the previous season. Improved soil moisture and expanded planting area are expected to be the main drivers of the recovery.

The largest increase in sunflower acreage is expected in Hungary, France, Bulgaria, Romania, and Spain. Although crops were affected by a heatwave at the end of June, subsequent rainfall improved crop conditions across most producing regions, allowing analysts to forecast a recovery in average yields of about 6%.

Higher production is also expected to boost sunseed crushing in the EU. Oil World forecasts processing to increase to 8.5 mln tons, the highest level in the past three years. The strongest growth is expected in Romania, France, Hungary, and Bulgaria, although further expansion will be constrained by limited crushing capacity and competition from rapeseed and soybeans.

Changes in trade flows are also expected. If Turkey harvests the larger sunsseed crop currently forecast, its import demand is likely to decline significantly. This could reduce EU sunflower seed exports, particularly shipments from Romania and Bulgaria, which have traditionally supplied the Turkish market.

As domestic production rises and exports decline, the European Union is also expected to reduce its need for imported sunflower seed. Imports in the 2026/27 marketing year are forecast to fall by nearly half to 0.9 mln tons, which could negatively affect exporters from Argentina, one of the EU’s key external suppliers.

Tags: Bulgaria, Romania, EU, France, sunseed, Hungary, crop forecast