WINNIPEG (CNS) — The Manitoba sunflower market is holding steady for the time being, with acres likely unchanged on the year.
Actual acreage in the spring will likely depend on snowfall between now and April.
“The market is moving sideways, with nothing dramatic at this stage to say if it’s moving up or down,” said Phil Van Bergen, assistant vice-president with Agri-Tel in Beausejour.
Van Bergen said sunflowers were in the “middle of the road” when it comes to rankings of predicted profitability, with farmers who typically grow the crop likely keeping a similar amount as last year in the rotation.
Read Also
Manitoba Parkland research station grapples with dry year
Drought conditions in northwestern Manitoba have forced researchers at the Parkland Crop Diversification Foundation to terminate some projects and reseed others.
The latest estimates from Agriculture Canada forecast seeded Canadian sunflower area in 2018 at 64,000 acres, which would be unchanged from the previous year. The bulk of Canada’s crop is grown in Manitoba.
Canada grew 58,000 tonnes of sunflowers in 2017-18 on very good yields, but a return to average yields would see production decline in 2018-19.
New crop prices are currently hovering around 23 cents per bushel for oilseed sunflowers, which is in line with spot prices.
“Where that goes from here is hard to say,” said Van Bergen.
The higher than normal yields in 2017 left more unspoken for sunflower seed in the marketplace than normal. Those uncontracted seeds are moving now, with producers looking to clear up bin space and move some supplies before road bans come into effect, said Van Bergen.
