FINAL USDA SUNFLOWER PRODUCTION STATS

U.S. production of oil-type sunflower varieties, at 2.58 billion pounds, decreased 14 percent from 2008. Harvested acres are down 20 percent from the previous year but the yield increased by 111 pounds to 1,563 pounds per acre. The U.S. average yield for oil-type varieties is the second highest on record. According to USDA the production of non-oil sunflower varieties, at 452 million pounds, increased 5 percent from last year. Area harvested, at 300,500 acres, is down 10 percent from 2008. The average yield increased by 221 pounds from last year to a record high 1,506 pounds per acre. This is a surprise given growing conditions in 2009. The industry expected much lower yield and production figures. Overall 2009 sunflower production totaled 3.04 billion pounds, down 11 percent from 2008. The U.S. average yield per acre increased 125 pounds from last year to a record high 1,554 pounds. Planted area, at 2.03 million acres, is 19 percent below last year. Area harvested decreased 18 percent from last year to 1.95 million acres. Yields, compared with last year, are up in all major sunflower-producing states except Minnesota and Nebraska. The combined average yield for all types of sunflower in Colorado, Kansas, and South Dakota is the highest on record.