In 2023, the EU harvested a significantly larger sunflower seed crop than in the previous year, surpassing the long-term average. The European Commission estimates that almost 10 million tonnes of sunflower seeds were produced, up 7% from 2022, but still falling short of the record 10.4 million tons in 2017. Despite drought and heat affecting the previous year's yield, moderate temperatures and rainfall in 2023 supported the development of field plantings in the region.