Sunflower Seed Monthly Update (Russia) 2025-11

Global grain markets exhibit moderately positive price trends, with wheat and corn supported by U.S. weather risks, importer activity, and anticipated tender purchases, though volatility remains high due to sowing and export uncertainties. In the oilseed sector, biofuel policy expectations in the U.S. are driving increased interest in soybeans and soybean oil, reflected in price changes such as a 1.0% rise in soybeans (FOB Brazil) and a 1.0% increase in sunflower oil (FOB Russia). Corn prices show mixed movements with a 0.7% increase in FOB Argentina and a 0.8% decline in FOB U.S. Domestic markets present varied dynamics: soybean prices fell by 1% in central regions, canola prices dropped 2.6% centrally but rose in the south, while sunflower prices grew steadily by 0.5% across all regions, indicating stable processing demand.

Russian farmers' growing interest in sunflower cultivation is projected to result in sunflower planting areas exceeding those of spring wheat for the first time in 2026. The Institute for Agricultural Market Studies (IKAR) estimates that both sunflower and spring wheat will be planted on approximately 11 million hectares each this year. Sunflower's profitability, drought resistance, and strong demand from processing industries are driving this trend, with record sowing expected in several regions. Overall, oilseed crop areas in Russia may reach a record 22 million hectares in 2026, while spring wheat sowing continues to decline, dropping from 12.4 million hectares in 2024 to 11.1 million hectares in 2025 according to Rosstat.

In 2025, Russia's grain harvest reached 141.15 million tons, up from 125.9 million tons in 2024, with wheat production increasing to 91.1 million tons from 82.6 million tons. Notable gains were seen in barley, corn, and leguminous crops, while rye and buckwheat harvests declined slightly. Oilseed crops rose to 34.4 million tons, driven by higher sunflower, soy, and rapeseed outputs. Yields improved overall, with grain and legume yields increasing to 34.4 centners per hectare from 27.9 in 2024, and sugar beet yields also rising. Potato production grew by 9.3% to 19.5 million tons, and vegetable output edged up to 14.1 million tons, supported mainly by household farms. These figures exclude data from four newly incorporated regions.

The agro-industrial complex of the Republic of Mordovia reported a 9.4% increase in agricultural production last year, highlighted by record harvests of sunflower and soybeans and improved yields of grains and legumes. Livestock and poultry output grew by 5.2%, surpassing 487 thousand tons, with notable rises in egg production, raw milk, and milk yield per cow. The food processing sector also expanded, boosting production of fruit and vegetable preserves, dairy, meat semi-finished products, sausages, and confectionery. Since 2020, exports of regional agri-food products have increased by more than 1.5 times, with over 20% of exports comprising finished meat products. Federal funding for the region’s agro-industrial development has been raised to 2.1 billion rubles in 2026, supporting investment projects, reclamation efforts, and rural infrastructure improvements under ongoing state programs.

Altai Krai's agricultural sector achieved a record harvest last year, producing over 10 million tons including oilseeds, surpassing the 1972 record of 9 million tons. The region led Russia in spring wheat production with 3.7 million tons and topped outputs of rapeseed, linseed, and buckwheat, while ranking third in sunflower and soybean yields. Average yields rose from 18.2 to 23.1 centners per hectare, and wheat exports doubled to 2.3 million tons. Despite strong production and export growth, farmers face declining prices, with third-class wheat prices dropping from 13.3 thousand rubles per ton in February 2024 to 11.8 thousand rubles recently. State support for 2024 remains steady at 3.7 billion rubles, focusing on technological sovereignty, human capital, and subsidies for grains, potatoes, vegetables, and small farms. Sowing areas will remain stable overall, with reduced cereal and legume plantings offset by increased oilseed crops including sunflower, flax, and rapeseed.

The Rostov region's agro-industrial complex experienced a decline in 2025 compared to 2024, primarily due to adverse weather conditions such as frosts and droughts affecting both crop and livestock production. Despite this, more than 8 billion rubles were invested in the sector, with 3.5 billion rubles directed specifically to agricultural production, including 2 billion for crop production and nearly 1.4 billion for animal husbandry. Grain and legume production fell by 22%, sunflower by 35%, while potatoes and vegetables saw slight increases. Livestock outputs also decreased, with meat down 5% and milk down 13%, although commercial fish production rose by 1.4%. For 2026, the region plans to allocate 4.4 billion rubles from the state rural development program, focusing on subsidies for grain production, insurance premiums, animal husbandry, perennial plantations, land reclamation, agricultural machinery, and fish farming support.

Global grain markets exhibit moderately positive price trends, supported by U.S. weather risks, importer activity, and anticipated tender purchases, though volatility remains high due to crop condition and export news. In the oilseed sector, biofuel policy expectations in the U.S. are driving increased interest in soybeans and soybean oil, with FOB prices rising for soybeans in Brazil (+1.0%) and canola in Canada (+2.2%), while sunflower prices declined slightly in France (-0.8%). Corn prices show mixed movements, increasing in Argentina (+0.7%) but decreasing in the U.S. (-0.8%). Domestically, price dynamics vary regionally with soybean prices falling by 1% in central areas, canola down 2.6% in central regions but rising in the south, and sunflower prices steadily increasing by 0.5% across all regions, reflecting stable processing demand.

The Rostov region's agro-industrial complex experienced a decline in 2025 compared to 2024, primarily due to adverse weather conditions such as frosts and droughts affecting both crop and livestock production. Despite this, over 8 billion rubles were invested in the sector, including 3.5 billion rubles directly into agricultural production—2 billion for crop production and nearly 1.4 billion for livestock farming. Grain and leguminous crop output fell by 22%, sunflower by 35%, while potato and vegetable production saw slight increases. Livestock production dropped by 20%, with meat and milk decreasing by 5% and 13% respectively, although commercial fish production grew by 1.4%. For 2026, the region plans to allocate 4.4 billion rubles to agriculture, focusing on subsidies for grain production, insurance premiums, livestock development, perennial planting, land reclamation, agricultural machinery, and fish farming support.

Stavropol Krai's agricultural sector grew by 11.9% in 2025, reaching a gross production value of 340.2 billion rubles. Farmers achieved a record harvest of 10.6 million tons of grains and legumes, with wheat yields rising 28% due to innovative technologies, modern varieties, and favorable weather conditions. Production of sugar beets, sunflowers, vegetables, and potatoes also increased, with open-ground vegetables up 4% and potatoes by 11% compared to 2024. Milk production grew by 5%, aligning with forecasts of a 9% livestock sector increase supported by six dairy investment projects. The state provided 6.8 billion rubles in subsidies, grants, and compensations to 1,100 producers, with continued support planned for 2026 including 1.1 billion rubles in federal funds for preferential lending to modernize equipment and expand sowing areas.

In 2025, Siberian agricultural exports demonstrated robust growth, with grain and grain processing products reaching 3.8 million tons and oilseed shipments surpassing one million tons, marking a 44% increase. Altai Krai led the region, accounting for 59% of grain exports and 57% of oilseed shipments, including 606 thousand tons of oilseeds. Legume exports also rose by 27%, totaling 410 thousand tons, with Novosibirsk Oblast contributing 40% of this volume and achieving 40% growth. Key oilseed exports included 365 thousand tons of rapeseed, 299 thousand tons of sunflower, and 269 thousand tons of flax. These achievements were attributed to coordinated efforts by regional authorities and agricultural experts, supported by initiatives to expand export potential and comply with stringent phytosanitary standards, particularly in markets like China.