Sunflower markets maintains price strength

Overall the sunflower market has maintained its relative price strength from highs set this spring. This is largely due to sunflower not facing retaliatory tariffs from our trading partners and a tighter seed supply this marketing year. NuSun prices at the crush plants ended unchanged to up 5 cents, while high oleics were unchanged to up 25 cents a week ago. In comparison to last year at this same time nearby prices are 25 to 35 cents per hundredweight higher at the North Dakota crush plants. Something else to consider is storing seed for delivery after the first of the year. Premiums of 30 to 60 cents per hundredweight depending on the month, are being offered at the North Dakota crush plants as well. Birdfood prices have seen little movement compared to a week ago. Harvest has begun in the sunflower production region with initial quality generally very good. Yields are being reported in the 1,500 to 2,700-pound range with some reports of non-irrigated yields over 3,300 pounds. Traders will keep anxiously watching yield trends as harvest continues. Warm and drier weather is forecast for the Northern Plains and should keep combines rolling in the days ahead. The trade will continue to digest the USDA October production report until the next production estimate is released in January.This report and harvest progress will be key to prices going forward.