According to the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP), local sunflower production has shown virtually no real growth over the past two decades, despite domestic demand for oilcake and vegetable oil increasing by approximately 40%. Instead, rising domestic demand is being met by imports of seed, oil and cake.
Is there a potential for increased sunflower production in South Africa?
Judging from recent reports and data, there is tremendous potential for increased sunflower production in South Africa.
How many tons of sunflower seed are there in South Africa?
This includes an opening stock level (on 1 March 2024) of 126 714 tons, local commercial deliveries of 589 000 tons, sunflower seed imports of 10 000 tons for South Africa and a surplus of 8 000 tons. Demand: The total demand (domestic plus exports) for sunflower seed is projected at 660 600 tons.
Is oil the future of sunflower production?
Incentivising producers for adopting high oil-content seed that maximises oil yield per hectare, rather than just yields per hectare, is a sunflower contracting norm in international markets. This reality supports Syngenta¡¯s conviction that oil is the future of sunflower production.