Harvest of sunflower in Russia is higher than in Ukraine

In Russia as of 22 November was 95.9% of the areas harvested 15.1 million tons of sunflower, which is 2.8 million tons more than last year and hopefully will yield in the range of 15.5 million tonnes, the Production increased due to increase in acreage to 8.5 million hectares and yield to 1.85 t/ha compared with 1.6 tons/ha last season.

Due to an abundant crop purchasing prices for sunflower seed in Russia has fallen by 17-20% to 15-16 thousand rubles/ton or 235-250 $/t on the basis of the Franco-Elevator. This triggered active export of sunflower, which in October reached a record for this month is 30 thousand tons, after which refiners have launched a legislative initiative to increase the export duty on sunflower seeds from 6.5% to 20%. The agriculture Ministry plans to discuss changes to customs tariff regulation in the beginning of 2020, and experts believe that such an initiative caused by the intentions of the processors to reduce prices for sunflower oil.

the Director of "Sovekon" A. Sizov believes that the fee proportionally reduces the price of sunflower for processors. Last season for a fee of 6.5% of farmers received less income in the amount of 16 billion rubles, after raising tariffs to 20% this amount will increase to 50 billion rubles. in the absence of export duties on oil all the profit from the rate increase will get the processors. During the season Russia to export 2 million tons of oil, or 40% of the total, and the price of it at the beginning of November has grown by $10/ton to 680 $/t FOB.

In Ukraine, as of 22 November from 5,814 million hectares collected 14,579 million tonnes of sunflower with a yield of 2.51 t/ha, whereas in 2018/19 Mr 6,166 million hectares were harvested 14,165 million tonnes of sunflower with a yield of 2.28 t/ha. According to experts, the total harvest in the current season will reach 15 million tons, since not all of the area fell in the statistics.

After the collapse in September-October the purchasing prices for sunflower in Ukraine is gradually restored over support prices for sunflower oil, which is expensive after palm and soy oils. Despite the strengthening of the hryvnia the prices of sunflower rose to 9000-9750 UAH/t with delivery to the plant and 8500-8800 UAH/t ex-farm. Farmers restrain sales of sunflower that an increase in competition between processors.