Argentina’s near record sunflowerseed crop is expected to help boost global supplies, both via exports of sunflowerseed meal and oil, and exports of sunflowerseed to Black Sea crushers, according to a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) report.
Although Argentina produced only around one-tenth of the world’s sunflowerseed, the timing of its harvest and recent production growth would have an impact on global stocks, the ‘The Oilseeds: World Markets and Trade’ April report said.
“Argentina’s southern hemisphere harvest starting in February falls later than major Black Sea producers harvesting in September, providing a counter-seasonal boost to global supplies that can be impactful in years of lower production,” the USDA said.
Argentina harvested its bumper 2025/26 sunflowerseed crop in February and exports totalled 300,000 tonnes in February (the last month of the 2024/25 marketing year) and continued to be strong in March at approximately 200,000 tonnes.
“These volumes far exceed typical volumes, with annual exports averaging less than 200,000 tonnes as most output is crushed domestically,” the USDA said.
As a result, 2024/25 exports were forecast at 624,000 tonnes and 2025/26 exports were expected to total 600,000 tonnes, reaching multi-decade highs.
Shipments were mainly destined for the European Union (EU) – particularly Bulgaria and Romania – where crushing margins were high due to high sunflower oil prices.
Despite increased sunflowerseed exports, the large Argentine crop was also expected to enable the country’s highest exports in over 25 years of both sunflowerseed oil – up 8% to 1.8M tonnes – and sunflowerseed meal – up 9% to 1.8M tonnes.
Global sunflowerseed production grew in 2025/26 from the previous year’s five-year low. Despite another year of poor yields for major Black Sea producers, gains were driven by area growth in Argentina, Kazakhstan, Russia and the USA.
However, low production in Ukraine, the EU and Turkey contributed to a less-than-adequate recovery in supplies amid strong demand globally.
According to a separate USDA report, Argentina’s sunflower area is expected to rise by around 14% in 2026/27 to 3.3M ha, following strong gains in the previous two seasons and continuing a multi-year upward trend.
The expected expansion in planted area was driven primarily by sustained favourable sunflower prices, the ‘Argentina: Oilseeds and Products Annual’ said.
“At the same time, relatively weaker corn and soyabean prices have improved sunflower’s comparative profitability, particularly at times of planting decisions,” the USDA said.
“Input costs will also play a critical role as sunflower’s lower fertiliser requirements make it an increasingly attractive alternative to corn, especially in an environment of persistently high or volatile fertiliser prices.”
Increasing investment in new and improved sunflower genetics in Argentina would also boost production and yields in the coming years, the 9 April report said.
While sunflower cultivation remained concentrated in west-central and southern Buenos Aires, La Pampa, and the northern growing regions of Chaco and northern Santa Fe, recent seasons had seen sunflower production expand into non-traditional areas, driven by positive production and economic outcomes, the USDA said.
“Producers in marginal zones, previously considered unsuitable for sunflower, have reported good yields and economic returns, fostering optimism about the crop's potential. Industry sources suggest this expansion will likely persist in 2026/27 and beyond.”
