Hungary has become the largest sunseed producer in the EU for the first time

The European Commission has slightly lowered its sunseed crop forecast, according to its February assessment of the 2024 oilseed crop. According to the latest data from the EU Commission, the Union is expected to harvest about 8 million tons of sunflower seeds in 2024, 7,000 tons less than expected at the end of December. This means that the gap compared to the previous year’s volume has widened to 18%, as unfavorable weather conditions during the year significantly limited producers’ potential income and led to lower plantings. According to the Union for the Promotion of Oilseeds and Grains, founded by the German Farmers’ Association (UFOP), the decisive factor in the downward correction is the lower German harvest. The commission forecasts the country’s harvest at 127,000 tons, down 7,000 tons from December. That’s 25% less than in 2023, but still nearly 20% above the five-year average. Many farmers significantly increased their crops in 2022 due to the sharp rise in producer ...