According to the USDA, growers intend to plant 1.07 million sunflower acres in 2025, an increase of 49% from last year’s record-low planted area. Compared with last year, growers in seven of the eight major sunflower-producing states expect an increase in planted acreage this year, with California representing the only state that is expecting a decline from 2024.
The largest increase in planted area from last year is expected in North Dakota. Area intended for oil-type varieties, at 960,500 acres, is up 62% from 2024, with non-oil varieties estimated at 112,000 acres, down 12% 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 small carryover seed stocks. Non-oil sunflower acres were somewhat below most traders’ thoughts.
Seed stock numbers
USDA also reported sunflower stocks in all positions as of March 1. Seed stocks totaled 564 million pounds, down 52% from March 1, 2024. All stocks stored on farms totaled 263 million pounds, and off-farm stocks totaled 301 million pounds.
Stocks of oil-type sunflower seed were 426 million pounds, down 59% from March 1, 2024; of this total, 210 million pounds are on-farm stocks, and 216 million pounds are off-farm stocks. Non-oil sunflower stocks totaled 138 million pounds, up 7% from last year at this time, with 53 million pounds stored on the farm and 85 million pounds stored off the farm. Decreased stocks were expected by traders given last year’s reduced acreage and diminished production.
Even with the projected increase in acres, crushers and confection processors still are offering 2025 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 that is 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 sunflower in your rotation is that they can be planted until late June. The final planting dates for crop insurance purposes for sunflower 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, go to 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 sunflower 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 on it for you to contact processors of oils, confections, hullers and bird food to contract 2025 acres. Follow us on X @NatlSunflower.