Sunflower seeds: lack of demand causes pressure on prices

May 14, 2020 at 9:21 AM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

SOFIA. Unusually high temperatures and low rainfall cause poor preconditions for the development of the Bulgarian sunflower seed crop and therefore...

... are the reason for growing concern among market players. Although initial estimates indicate a similar production result as last year, the crop is still a long way from being brought in and anything is still possible in terms of yield. According to rumours, the cultivation of high-oleic sunflower seeds might expand to up to 400,000 metric tonnes this year.

Spot prices decrease

Low domestic and foreign demand caused the price of black in-shells with a purity of 98% to decline to EUR 343 per metric tonne CPT Varna this week. In the bakery sector, the offers of suppliers vary between EUR 0.73 and 0.76 per kg DDP Germany, depending on the free capacities.

Meanwhile, the offers for the new crop are at EUR 0.68-0.72 per kg DDP Germany, depending on the supplier's propensity for speculation and the period for which the enquiry is valid. However, too many uncertainty factors, including the further course of the pandemic, are dampening the contract negotiations. Both buyers and sellers currently prefer to observe the market before making long-term decisions. Many buyers are also certain that the comparatively high price level cannot be maintained and expect similar offers in the new season as last year.

Sunflower kernels, Bulgaria

Quality

EUR/mt

Hullend, bakery, DDP Germany, 2019 crop

730-760

Hulled, bakery, DDP Germany, 2020 crop

680-720

Unhulled, 98% purity, CPT Varna

343

Trade sources

View more information
price chart, sunflower kernels, bakery, Eastern Europe
price chart, sunflower seeds, black, unhulled, Bulgaria
more price charts

Attached Files

File icon
price chart sunflower kernels, hulled, bakery
File icon
price chart sunflower seeds, unhulled, black, Bulgaria

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Grains
Nov 1, 2024
BRUSSELS. Russia’s failed attempt to drive up wheat prices has slowed shipments. Ukraine’s corn exports are 18% up. Rain has prompted sowing to gain pace for soybeans in Brazil and Argentina. Rumour has it that China will slash retaliatory tariffs on Canada's canola.
Oilseeds
Oct 31, 2024
OTTAWA. Although the Canadian flaxseed crop is smaller than in recent years, market players are currently reporting high demand from China. The EU could also be an interesting sales market this season if the export potential was not limited.
Oilseeds
Oct 31, 2024
OTTAWA. The Canadian mustard seed harvest has so far resulted in lower yields than initially hoped for, but the crop result remains significantly better than in previous years.
Oilseeds
Oct 30, 2024
SOFIA/DALIAN. Disappointing crops in the European sunflower seed market are driving some suppliers to take drastic measures. In the Chinese market, however, the new crop is causing prices to fall.