According to USDA, the area planted to sunflowers in 2026 increased 5% from 2025 and totals 1.35 million acres. Harvested area for all types is expected to increase 5% from last year to 1.3 million acres. Planted area of oil-type varieties, at 1.22 million acres, is up 3% from 2025.
Harvested area for oil types is expected to increase 3% from last year to 1.19 million acres. Planted acreage of non-oil varieties, estimated at 124,000, is up 25% from last year. Harvested area is expected to increase 25% from last year to 114,800 acres.
Dakotas reign in growth
Compared with last year, oil-type acreage increased in four of the eight major sunflower-producing states. The state with the largest increase from last year is South Dakota, where the planted area increased 56,000 acres compared with last year. North Dakota also had a large increase compared with last year, with the planted area up 30,000 acres from the previous year.
Compared with 2025, growers in six of the eight major sunflower-producing states had increases in planted acreage for non-oil varieties. The largest increase compared with last year occurred in South Dakota, where planted acreage increased by 21,000 acres.
Initial estimates using trend yields peg oil-type sunflower production at 2.04 billion pounds, down 4% from last year with non-oil sunflower production at 212 million pounds, up 12% from 2025.
So, what does this mean in terms of prices for the rest of this marketing year heading into harvest? After this news hit the market, sunflower prices trended higher as the industry digested the numbers, making sure to cover nearby needs.
This was the first report of planted acres, and these reports can change from month to month. Planting was still going on in some states when the survey was taken, so changes to planted acres will most likely occur. In the past five years, USDA has changed final planted and harvested sunflower acres significantly by the time the final crop production numbers were released at the end of the year.
What the future holds
In March, USDA reported stocks of oil-type sunflower seed at 744 million pounds, with non-oil sunflower stocks at 155 million pounds, up 48% and 12%, respectively, from last year at the same time. This level of stocks gives crushers, confection and bird food plants some cushion before new-crop arrival at the plants.
However, given the current bird food and oil demand, stocks will be tight by the end of September. This should keep old-crop prices firm, and there is a good likelihood that price premiums will be in place to encourage growers to desiccate and harvest early.
Now that the USDA report is factored into the market, buyers will anxiously watch crop production prospects before making longer-term purchases. Mid-August through September is the critical time frame for sunflowers.
In October, USDA will provide an updated estimate for oil-type and non-oil sunflower production. This report and demand news will set the tone for new-crop sunflower price direction.
To keep up with market news and prices, go to sunflowernsa.com or follow on X @NatlSunflower.