According to USDA, growers intend to plant 1.39 million sunflower acres in 2026, an increase of 8% from last year’s planted area.
Compared with last year, growers in five of the eight major sunflower-producing states expect an increase in planted acreage this year, with California, Colorado and Minnesota representing the only states expecting a decline from 2025.
The largest increase in planted area from last year is expected in North Dakota. Area intended for oil-type varieties, at over 1.29 million acres, is up 9% from 2025, with non-oil varieties estimated at 91,500 acres, down 8% from last year.
The estimate for oil-type varieties was within industry expectations.
Oilseed crushers and bird food buyers were expecting an acre increase given current carryover seed stocks. Non-oil sunflower acres were somewhat below most traders’ thoughts.
What will 2026 markets hold?
USDA also reported sunflower stocks in all positions as of March 1. Seed stocks totaled 899 million pounds, up 41% from March 1, 2025. All stocks stored on farms totaled 389 million pounds, and off-farm stocks totaled 510 million pounds.
Stocks of oil-type sunflower seed were 744 million pounds, up 48% from March 1, 2025. Of this total, 345 million pounds are on-farm stocks, and 399 million pounds are off-farm stocks.
Non-oil sunflower stocks totaled 155 million pounds, up 12% from last year at this time, with 43.7 million pounds stored on the farm and 111 million pounds stored off the farm.
Increased stocks were expected by traders given last year’s acreage surge and increased production.
Even with the projected increase in acres, crushers and confection processors are still offering 2026 new-crop contracts. New-crop prices are competitive with other minor oilseeds, with oil crushers offering act of God and cash contracts.
Keep in mind that oils also receive a 2% price premium for each 1% of oil content over 40%. At current prices, that can add significantly to the final price when delivered.
If there are any planting delays this year, another advantage to having late season-planted crops like sunflowers in your rotation is that they can be planted until late June. The final planting dates for crop insurance purposes for sunflowers vary by state and county.
In North Dakota, it is either June 10 or 15, South Dakota is June 15 or 20, and all of Minnesota is June 15. After these dates, the coverage is reduced by only 1% per day. The actual final date that sunflowers can be planted is anywhere from 20 to 25 days after this date, depending on the county. To find the final planting date by county, use this link: sunflowernsa.com/growers/crop-insurance.
There's still time to take advantage of the market opportunities that sunflowers can offer. Late season-planted crops like sunflowers can perform well, and markets will reward that production. To keep up with market news and prices, go to sunflowernsa.com.
The National Sunflower Association website also has a link to buyers so you can contact processors of oils, confections, hullers and bird food to contract 2026 acres. Follow on X @NatlSunflower.