Sunflower Prices Rise Into Argentina’s Harvest as Export Demand Tightens

Overview

• Cash and forward values strengthened near harvest, with offers near US$340+20 per tonne for spot and US$360+40 for mid‑year delivery, as sunflower oil traded around US$1,450 per tonne CIF Rotterdam and US$1,320 FOB Argentina.
• Seed exports accelerated, with nearly 400,000 tonnes shipped in January and a further 135,000 tonnes registered for February, increasing competition with domestic crushers for supply.
• Output and area have jumped, with one report estimating 2.7 million hectares and roughly 6.2 million tonnes for 2025/26, while a separate official projection points to 3.1 million hectares and 7.2 million tonnes with 38% of area harvested.
• Tax policy favors sunflower over soy, with export duties at 4% for sunflower oil and 5.5% for seed versus 24% on soybean grain and 22.5% on soy byproducts, reshaping planting decisions.
• Processing and exports set records in 2025, including 4.63 million tonnes crushed and 1.384 million tonnes of sunflower oil shipped, a 35.7% year‑over‑year increase.