According to the USDA, 2024 sunflower production totaled 1.15 billion pounds, down 49% from 2023. The U.S. average yield per acre of 1,670 pounds decreased 117 pounds from 2023. Planted area, at 720,800 acres, was 45% below the previous year.
Area harvested decreased 46% from 2023 to 686,100 acres.
North Dakota maintained its status as the leading sunflower-producing state during 2024, with total production of 519 million pounds, a decrease of 54% from 2023. Compared with 2023, planted area in North Dakota decreased 47% and yield decreased 246 pounds to 1,752 pounds per acre.
Meanwhile, production in South Dakota decreased 43% from 2023 to 466 million pounds. Planted acreage in South Dakota, at 279,000 acres, decreased 44% from the previous year. The average yield in South Dakota increased 36 pounds from 2023 to 1,746 pounds per acre.
Overall production decreases
The USDA estimated the U.S. production of oil-type sunflower varieties at 947 million pounds, representing a decrease of 52% from 2023. Compared with last year, harvested acres were down 49%, and the average yield decreased by 85 pounds to 1,664 pounds per acre.
Production of confection sunflower varieties was estimated at 199 million pounds, a decrease of 33% from 2023. Area harvested, at 116,900 acres, was down 17% from 2023. The average yield decreased by 391 pounds from 2023 after setting a record high last year.
In its January grain stocks report, the USDA pegged old crop sunflower stocks in all positions at 572 million pounds, up 56% from a year ago. All stocks stored on farms totaled 139.1 million pounds, and off-farm stocks totaled 432.4 million pounds.
Stocks of oil-type sunflower seed are 503 million pounds; of this total, 134 million pounds are on-farm stocks, and 369 million pounds are off-farm stocks. The USDA left old crop non-oil sunflower stocks unchanged from its September report.
Old crop oil-type sunflower stocks were lowered by 3.8 million pounds from the September report. Oil-type sunflower seed stocks are 48% higher than last year and were in line with trade expectations.
Non-oil sunflower stocks totaled 68.3 million pounds, with 5.4 million pounds stored on the farm and 62.9 million pounds stored off the farm. Non-oil stocks are up 162% from last year but in line with industry estimates.
The main market mover from April onward will be the USDA's March Prospective Plantings report. The sunflower market has been following the trend of stronger oil values. This fundamental in combination with strong seed demand has led to robust nearby prices at the crush plants since harvest began.
It is very possible that the market low has already been established and prices will remain relatively firm. New crop sunflower prices are penciling out well as crushers, and confection processors are out with attractive 2025 production contracts.
Another thing to consider is that with sunflower contracts, you have the act of God clause, which is helpful to lock in a profitable price and reduce some risk. To keep up with price movement, go to www.sunflowernsa.com. Follow us on X @NatlSunflower.