Black Sea region production to drive global sunflower seed growth

Global sunflower seed production is projected to rise to 62.1 million metric tons in the 2026-27 season, a 10 percent increase driven largely by higher yields in the Black Sea region.

In Russia, production is expected to reach a record 21 million tons, supported by an expansion of harvested areas to 12 million hectares. Ukraine, the world’s second-largest producer, is also forecasted to see an 11 percent increase, reaching 13.5 million tons. Meanwhile, Argentina is expected to maintain production at approximately 7.5 million tons.

In Turkey, the USDA estimates sunflower production could reach 1.8 million tons in the 2026/27 season, an increase of 550,000 tons over the previous season due to favorable weather and expanded cultivation areas. Despite this growth, Turkey remains dependent on imports to meet a projected domestic consumption of 3.4 million tons, with significant supply expected from the Black Sea region.