The sunflower harvest has begun in France, with low yields

The first sunflower harvest results in France have been very weak, with farmers in some early-harvest areas reporting yields of just 0.7–1.5 t/ha. However, these figures relate to individual fields and are not yet representative of the country as a whole.

The poor results are mainly attributed to heat and moisture shortages during the growing season. In the worst-affected areas, plants remained short, with small heads and poorly filled seeds. Some fields looked considerably better before harvest than their actual yields ultimately showed.

Official forecasts also point to a very weak season. Agreste estimates France’s average sunflower yield in 2026 at just 1.81 t/ha, down 12.6% from 2025 and 20.2% below the 2021–2025 average.

If the forecast is confirmed, France’s sunflower yield would be the lowest since at least 1980. However, conditions vary significantly by region, with early-August estimates ranging from 1.49 t/ha in Midi-Pyrénées to 2.84 t/ha in Alsace. In Occitanie, yields are expected to be 21% below the five-year average due to adverse weather conditions.

France’s sunflower harvest is only beginning, meaning final results could change as harvesting expands to the main production areas. Nevertheless, the first actual yields reinforce concerns that French sunflower could face one of its weakest seasons in decades.

Tags: France, sunseed, harvesting, sunflower