Sunflower Seed Output Set for Record High, Bolstered by Increased EU-27 and Ukraine Harvests

Mumbai, 8 Jul (Commoditiescontrol):Global sunflower seed production is forecasted to reach an all-time high in the 2023/24 season, largely due to increased harvests in the EU-27 and Ukraine, according to the International Grains Council (IGC).

The IGC anticipates a sunflower seed harvest of 56.9 million tonnes this season, a rise of approximately 5% compared to the previous year, and 1.6 million tonnes more than initially projected. This figure is set to surpass the previous record of 56.2 million tonnes from the 2021/22 season by a substantial 700,000 tonnes.

The upward revision primarily stems from expected larger harvests in the EU-27 and Ukraine, the Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft reports. The recent favorable growing conditions in these regions have significantly increased the potential yield.

The EU is currently expected to deliver a harvest of 10.5 million tonnes, marking a substantial 15% increase from last year. The improved output is driven by favorable growing conditions that have considerably elevated the yield potential.

In Ukraine, the sunflower seed area has grown to 5.3 million hectares. However, taking into account potential land in currently contested areas, the council estimates the production area could be as high as 6.5 million hectares, signifying an 8% increase from last year.

Given these factors, Ukraine's sunflower seed harvest is predicted to reach 15.3 million tonnes, nearly 9% higher than last year's yield. These projections remain uncertain, however, due to the ongoing conflict in eastern Europe.

In Russia, sunflower seed production for the marketing season of 2023/24 is projected to peak at 16.4 million tonnes for the second consecutive year, maintaining its status as a significant contributor to global sunflower seed production.

In conclusion, an unprecedented surge in global sunflower seed production is on the horizon. This trend is driven by improved harvests in the EU and Ukraine, notwithstanding the uncertainties associated with geopolitical instabilities.

(By Commoditiescontrol Bureau: +91-9820130172)