'Global sunseed crop outlook deteriorates'

Smaller-than-expected sunflower seed harvests are looming in several key global producing nations which could raise sunflower oil prices in coming months, Hamburg-based oilseeds analysts Oil World forecast on Tuesday. "The global prospects for sunflower seed and products have deteriorated further," it said.
Bad weather means key exporter Argentina is facing a smaller sunflower seed crop, it said. "(Argentine) plantings will be much smaller-than-expected and probably reach only 1.9 million hectares for the crop to be harvested in early 2010, down 0.4 million hectares from initial planting intentions and down 0.2 million hectares from last year," it said. Russia, Romania and Spain are also set for disappointing crops, although Ukraine's harvest is set to be better than expected, it said. Sunflower oil is still offered at lower prices than rapeseed oil and soyaoil in Europe, it said.