France expects larger sunflower plantings in 2022 and 2023

Last year, sunflower plantings in France reached 699,000 ha, according to data from the French Ministry of Agriculture. By 2022, plantings are expected to increase by around 12% to 780,000 ha, that is, some 80,000 ha more, according to data compiled by the French Federation of Oil and Protein Crop Producers. A first wave of sowings was carried out 2-3 weeks ago. Currently, the second wave is in full swing. More accurate figures will be known about the plantings carried out within a month, since there are still farmers who are hesitating between planting corn or sunflower. Some farmers have had to remove the rapeseed, which had not developed well, and they are planting sunflowers on these surfaces. By 2023, the Federation expects plantings to increase further. They estimate an increase of close to 30% compared to 2021, up to 900,000 ha. In Spain, sunflower sowings in 2021 were 631,163 ha, according to data from the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture. With the flexibility given by the ...