Sunflowers play a crucial role in the agricultural economies of many Eastern European countries, serving as a key source of oil and other by-products. The sunflower harvest is not only vital for local food production but also for export markets, impacting global prices and supply chains. However, in 2024, the sunflower harvest has faced numerous challenges across the region, including unfavorable weather conditions, lower yields, and declining quality.
Romania: Sunflower Price Increase
- Sunflower seed prices in Romania have risen significantly, reaching $460 per ton at the port of Constanța.
- The increase is due to unfavorable weather conditions leading to lower production.
- Prices range from $438 to $450 per ton, depending on the basis.
- Sunflower prices are contingent on oil content (44% standard). For each percentage point below this, the price decreases by 1.5%.
- Despite lower yields, export forecasts for 2024/25 remain stable, offset by an increase in the sunflower planting area.
Serbia: Sunflower Harvest Begins
- Sunflower harvest has started in Serbia, but yields are lower than expected.
- Initial yield forecast: 3 tons per hectare; current yield: 2.6 tons per hectare.
- 2023 yield was 2.9 tons per hectare.
- Expected overall harvest decline: 10-30% compared to the previous year.
- Quality has declined with smaller seeds and more empty kernels due to drought.
Moldova: Sunflower Harvest Update
- Current sunflower yield: 900-1100 kg per hectare, significantly lower than last year’s 2.2-2.5 tons per hectare.
- 22% of the raw material is unusable (dirt and small seeds).
- There are unusually small seeds, highlighting the quality decline.
- This is just the first fields.Moldova still have 2/3 weeks of harvesting.
This video demonstrates the decline in quality observed in the first harvest. From this sample, 25-30% of the yield is unusable for both bird food and hulling due to the high number of small seeds that must be diverted directly to oil crushing
Ukraine: Early Sunflower Harvest
- Harvest started two weeks earlier than last year.
- By August 15, 4,200 hectares harvested, representing 0.1% of the projected area.
- Yield: 0.9 tons per hectare, significantly lower than last year’s 1.93 tons per hectare.
- Total cultivation area is lower than expected: 4.8-4.9 million hectares (compared to the expected 5.2 million hectares).
- Export forecasts for sunflower oilseeds are estimated at 250,000 tons.
Key points
- The 2024 sunflower market in Romania, Serbia, Moldova, and Ukraine faces significant challenges.
- Romania focuses on oil content and pricing adjustments based on quality.
- Serbia struggles with lower yields and declining seed quality.
- Moldova reports sharp drops in both yield and quality, with a notable portion of the harvest unusable.
- Ukraine’s early harvest results indicate significantly lower yields and a reduced cultivation area.
Farmers in these regions are advised to monitor quality closely and consider potential price adjustments in their sales strategies.