Hungary has become the EU’s top sunflower producer for the first time, overtaking the traditional leaders in the sector. The changes come amid a general decline in EU yields, driven by adverse weather conditions and reduced plantings.

According to the European Commission’s February forecast, the EU’s gross sunflower harvest in 2024 will be 8 million tonnes, 7,000 tonnes less than expected at the end of December. Compared to 2023, production has fallen by 18% as unstable weather conditions have negatively affected the harvest.

One of the main factors behind the forecast decline was a decline in production in Germany. According to the Union for the Promotion of Oilseeds and Cereals (UFOP), the country’s sunflower harvest will be 127,000 tonnes, 25% less than in 2023. At the same time, this indicator is still 20% higher than the average level of the last five years. The active expansion of sowings in 2022, caused by high sunflower prices, could not establish itself as a long-term trend.

Romania, which has long remained the leading sunflower producer in Europe, lost its position due to a record decrease in yields. The country is expected to harvest 1.2 million tons in 2024, which is 38% less than in the previous year. This is the worst result in the last 15 years, and Romania now ranks only fourth in the EU.

Hungary, on the other hand, became the leader in this sector for the first time, harvesting 1.7 million tons of sunflower. Despite this, the yield in the country is still 13% lower than in 2023. France, which came in second, also faced a reduced harvest due to heavy rains that negatively affected the agricultural sector. Sunflower production in France is forecast at 1.7 million tonnes, which is 18% less than last year.

Analysts at Strategie Grains predict a further adjustment in EU sunflower production in the 2025/26 season. The total crop is expected to decline to 10.4 million tonnes, while the forecast for rapeseed is improved, with an increase of 19 million tonnes. This suggests that farmers are likely to reallocate their crops in favor of other crops, adapting to climate change and market trends.