Argentina to increase sunflower production in 2025/26 MY, but reduce soybean production

Argentine analytical agencies predict that in 2025/26 MY soybean area in the country will decrease to 16.5 million hectares due to farmers switching to corn cultivation and expanding sunflower areas. As a result, the soybean harvest will be 47.5 million tons, although the USDA estimates the harvest in 2025/26 MY at 48.5 million tons, and in 2024/25 MY – at 51.1 million tons.

Due to the high profitability of processing, its volume will remain at 42 million tons, despite a significant reduction in stocks after the short-term abolition of the export duty.

Soybean exports will be 6.5 million tons (USDA estimates it at 8.25 million tons) due to high demand from China, while soybean meal and oil exports will return to their usual levels of 29.5 million tons and 6.15 million tons, respectively, after a record increase in 2024/25 MY.

Sunflower sowing areas in Argentina will grow to 2.65 million hectares, and its harvest will reach 5.3 million tons, which will allow increasing processing to 5 million tons and ensuring significant exports of soybean oil and meal, oilworld.ru reports, citing the USDA.