Extreme heat reduces EU sunflower yields

Despite an expansion in area planted with sunflowers in the European Union, harvest expectations are fading.

The reason is lower yields due to adverse weather conditions.

The unfavorable weather conditions in Europe prompted the European Commission to lower its harvest estimate for sunflower seed significantly.

In the forecast published at the end of July, the harvest is expected at 10.1 million metric tons, 649,000 tons lower than the previous month.

In other words, the harvest would exceed the 2023 level by only 316,000 tons or 3 percent.

Foreseeable lower production in Bulgaria and Hungary, in particular, motivated the European Commission to make this adjustment.

At 1.8 million tons and 1.9 million tons, respectively, the estimates are down 278,000 tons and 251,000 tons on those published in June.

Romania, the largest sunflower-seed producer in the EU, is currently expected to harvest 2.5 million tons, around 147,000 tons less.

The main factors for the declines are the persistent drought and heat waves that impair development of the crops.

Daytime highs exceeded 104 degrees Fahrenheit in some places.

If the lack of rain continues, more downward adjustments can be expected.

For the 2024 harvest, sunflower-seed yield is currently estimated at 2.09 tons per hectare.

In other words, the forecast is not just down 0.1 tons per hectare on the previous month.

It also falls short of the long-term average 2.17 tons per hectare.