According to the latest estimates by the European Commission, EU countries will have 2022 million tonnes in 9,3 Sunflower seeds collected, which despite the expansion of acreage under the oilseed by about 18% to a record 5,1 million hectares, up 10% from last year's result.
As already mentioned, the reduction in production was due to a drought, the result of which was a reduction in oil yield (-18% per year) as well as the loss of part of the crops.
Nevertheless, the analysts from The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants e. V. (UFOP) continues to offer sunflowers as an alternative crop in some regions of the EU in order to expand crop rotation and minimize risks.
Especially given the uncertain situation regarding the supply of sunflowers and sunflower oil from Ukraine, UFOP recommends farmers to take sunflowers into account when planning the 2023 planting campaign. The new sunflower varieties, the tests for which are supported and financed by UFOP, confirm the high yield potential of both conventional and high-oleic oil varieties.
Source: APKinform (Ukraine)