Ukraine sunflower output surges as corn harvest slows

Spanish Market: Agriculture
19/10/26

Ukrainian producers are prioritising sunflower seed (SFS) and soybean harvests over corn to optimise limited logistics, as high early-season grain output fills domestic storage.

The SFS harvest has reached a turning point, with production significantly surpassing 2025 levels, according to preliminary agriculture ministry data as of 19 October. Farmers have threshed 4.12mn hectares (ha) of SFS, or about 79pc of the forecast area, compared with 3.91mn ha a year earlier. Total production reached 9.08mn t, up from 7.2mn t at the same stage in 2025, as average yields recovered to 2.20 t/ha from 1.84 t/ha. The influx of SFS is testing the capacity of inland crushing plants, which are already managing bottlenecks in the outflow of oil and meal through restricted corridors.

The soybean harvest is nearing completion at 1.38mn ha, or 86pc of the forecast, with yields averaging 2.18 t/ha. This pace is slightly ahead of the 1.34mn ha threshed by mid-October 2025.

In contrast, the corn harvest reached 912,000ha, or 20pc of the forecast 4.57mn ha, up from 589,000ha a week earlier. Despite weekly progress, the campaign remains slow, compared with historical levels, with about 1.1mn ha having been threshed by this time last year. Logistical constraints remain the primary deterrent — only 121,000t of corn left Ukraine in the first half of October, a sharp decline from 223,000t during the same period last year. With rail slots near fully committed until the end of the year, and deep-sea port access restricted, farmers are increasingly leaving corn in the fields to avoid immediate drying and storage expenses.

Storage problems are further exacerbated by large production of early-group grains, including winter wheat, which the ministry currently pegs at 26.17mn t, and barley at 6.55mn t. With national elevators occupied by these grains and incoming SFS, market participants are increasingly considering Ukraine's potential to officially prioritise vegetable oil exports over grains to maximise the value of its limited logistics capacity. Such a pivot would further tighten the corn export bottleneck, leaving international buyers including Italy and Turkey with fewer non-genetically modified sourcing options.

By Alexey Yeromin

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

16/10/26

Argentina rains slow fieldwork as crop sales hit record

Sao Paulo, 16 October (Argus) — Improved soil moisture is supporting Argentina's 2026-27 crops, but persistent rainfall, low temperatures and limited sunlight are increasingly slowing fieldwork and raising disease risks, according to the separate reports by the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange (Bage) and the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (SAGyP). Meanwhile, 2025-26 crop sales surpassed a record 105mn metric tonnes (t) in October. Bage reported that 90pc of wheat had good water availability and 58pc had reached heading or later stages following October rainfall. Soil moisture across most wheat-growing areas improved, although it remained deficient in parts of the Cordoba province and northern Argentina, according to SAGyP. Wheat in Marcos Juarez city, in Cordoba, also faced localized hail damage, but SAGyP did not quantify the impact on yields. Nonetheless, repeated rainfall and high humidity delayed northern wheat harvesting, with early yield prospects varying across producing areas. Bage expects yields in parts of central Argentina to fall by 10-30pc from last season because of tiller abortion and frost damage, although SAGyP indicated better prospects in some central areas. Both reports also flagged low solar radiation and increased fungal-disease pressure. Corn planting remained ahead of last season's as of the week ended 16 October despite rain-related delays. Bage put progress at 34.8pc of a projected 8.4mn hectares (ha) (84,000km²), about 5 percentage points ahead of last year, while SAGyP estimated planting at 31pc, around 4 percentage points ahead. Both agencies reported planting disruptions from rainfall, while low temperatures and limited radiation slowed early crop development in some areas. Sunflower planting reached 41.9pc of Bage's projected 3.1mn ha as of 14 October, while SAGyP estimated progress at 45pc as of 15 October. Both indicated that rainfall was affecting fieldwork, especially as planting advanced through southern producing areas. Soybean planting remained limited, with SAGyP reporting 10pc progress in the province of Corrientes and the Avellaneda district of the northern Santa Fe province. As the risks from the effects of the El Nino climate phenomenon are becoming more apparent, Argentina's 2026-27 crops planting and harvesting outlook is becoming increasingly mixed across monitoring agencies. The weather developments come as Argentina maintains unusually strong old-crop sales. As of 7 October, sales of soybeans, corn, wheat, sorghum and sunflower exceeded 105mn t, 25pc above the five-year average and almost 6mn t above the previous record, according to the Rosario Board of Trade. Recent corn sales were nearly twice their usual pace, while 2025-26 wheat sales reached 23.2mn t, with 94pc carrying a fixed price. By Mariana Oliveira Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US corn export sales at 5-week high

16/10/26

US corn export sales at 5-week high

Houston, 16 October (Argus) — US export sales of corn rose to a five-week high during the week ended 8 October, according to the latest US Department of Agriculture (USDA) data, though volumes continue to lag year-prior levels. Exporters sold 1.3mn metric tonnes (t) of corn in the latest week, the most since the first week of the marketing year that began 1 September, but below last year's 1.58mn t sold. Mexico bought 559,000t — though canceled 14,000t in past sales — while Japan and South Korea added 220,000t and 200,00t in new commitments, respectively, on mixes of new purchases and claims of previously undeclared sales. Net sales totaled 1.12mn t, down from 1.33mn t for the same week last year, following 177,000t in net cancelations. Outstanding sales — corn volumes that have been sold for export but have yet to be shipped — declined to 11.9mn t as exports continue to outpace new sales. Outstanding sales have fallen each week this marketing year, in contrast to the typical stagnant-to-increasing pattern observed in the opening months of the new marketing year. Total commitments rose to 20.7mn t, equivalent to 25pc of the USDA's newly revised export forecast of 83.8mn t. The current sales pace continues to lag the five-year average of 35pc for the week. China renews soybean buying US soybean export sales totaled just 605,000t during the week ended 8 October, but China has returned to buying large volumes over the last three days. China added 126,000t in 2026-27 soybean commitments last week — its lowest volume secured of the marketing year so far — largely from claims of previously undeclared sales. China had slowed its acquisitions of US soybeans, averaging just 457,000t across the last five weeks compared to an average of 976,000t in the nine weeks prior, before and after the latest summit between US president Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping. Large purchases resumed over the past three days, with the USDA reporting 1.36mn t in new sales to China since 14 October. The agency also reported 519,000t in sales to unknown destinations, some or all of which China could claim later. The USDA's weekly reports will begin reflecting these sales on 22 October. Elsewhere, Egypt added 111,000t in soybean commitments, with Bangladesh and Japan each picking up 110,000t. Wheat sales remain muted US wheat export sales totaled 385,000t in the latest week, well below the 683,000t sold the year prior. Net sales fell by a similar amount, falling to 320,000t from 614,000t for the same week in 2025 following 65,000t in net cancelations. In terms of new commitments, Taiwan added 106,000t, while Sri Lanka and Mexico picked up 68,000t and 52,000t, respectively. Total commitments — up to 10.4mn t — are at 51pc of the export projection for the year compared with the five-year average 55pc for the week. The 2026-27 sales pace has hovered at 3 to 4 percentage points below average levels since the week ended 30 July. By Joseph Crosby US corn export sales mn t US soybean export sales mn t US wheat export sales mn t Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

ASEAN Fertilizers to tackle supply, climate challenges

14/10/26

ASEAN Fertilizers to tackle supply, climate challenges

Bangkok, 14 October (Argus) — Fertilizer producers in southeast Asia are moving to establish a regional industry body as the sector faces down geopolitical disruption, raw material constraints, climate change and food security concerns. The proposed body — ASEAN Fertilizers, initially floated as the Southeast Asia Fertilizer Association at April's Argus Fertilizer Asia Conference in Indonesia — aims to provide a unified voice, promote producer collaboration and reinforce supply chains. The group is seeking formal ASEAN recognition and plans to expand membership to producers across the region, Brunei Fertilizer Industries' chief executive, Harri Kiiski, said at the IFA Crossroads 2026 conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand, today. This initiative is now especially important as producers grapple with an increasingly complex market. The disruption in the Middle East has highlighted Asia's exposure to supply chain risks, particularly dependence on imports of raw materials such as sulphur, a key feedstock for phosphate fertilizers, trading firm Hexagon Group's president, Christian Wendel, said during a panel discussion. The disruption has also accentuated policymakers' food security concerns. The impact of the disruption was amplified by trade restrictions and reduced exports from some countries. Greater production capacity is needed elsewhere in the region to strengthen supply security, but limited access to feedstocks, energy and investment continues to hold up projects, delegates agreed. "We need more production in Asia — particularly outside China," Wendel said, noting that southeast Asia remains heavily reliant on China for fertilizers. An ageing farming population also poses a challenge. The average age of rice farmers in several Asian countries continues to rise, increasing the need for new technology, training and support for younger growers. While younger farmers are generally more open to adopting drones, precision agriculture and other digital technologies that can improve nutrient efficiency and productivity, industry leaders warned that climate change is likely to create additional challenges through more extreme and unpredictable weather. ASEAN Fertilizers could play an important role in co-ordinating industry efforts, supporting innovation and helping the region navigate supply, sustainability and food security challenges, industry leaders said. By Huijun Yao Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Innovation, nutrient efficiency key to Asia agriculture

14/10/26

Innovation, nutrient efficiency key to Asia agriculture

Bangkok, 14 October (Argus) — Asia's agriculture sector is well positioned for growth but must speed up its efforts to improve nutrient efficiency, adopt climate-smart practices and strengthen supply-chain resilience in view of mounting climate and market challenges, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Asia-Pacific senior officer, Yubak Dhoj GC, said at the International Fertilizer Association's Crossroads 2026 conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand, today. The fertilizer industry is crucial to supporting sustainable agricultural growth, not only through supplying fertilizers but also by providing innovative solutions that improve nutrient-use efficiency, support soil health and contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, GC said. Climate change poses a significant risk to the agriculture sector. It is one of the sector's most pressing sustainability challenges, underscoring the need to reduce the use of land, water, nutrients and energy while increasing food production. Recent market disruptions such as the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Black Sea, logistical bottlenecks and extreme weather events have made global food supply chains more vulnerable. Ensuring continued access to seeds, fertilizers, energy, finance and agricultural markets during periods of disruption is critical, because lost planting seasons cannot be easily recovered, GC said. On top of governmental support, farmers and industry need to collaborate better to build agricultural resilience against climate change and market disruptions, GC said. This requires investment in agricultural and rural infrastructure, as well as the technologies that are essential to this goal. Despite growing challenges, the outlook for the region's agriculture sector remains positive, GC said. Climate risks, resource constraints, market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty are reshaping the operating environment, but Asia-Pacific will still remain a major contributor to global agricultural growth over the coming decade. By Huijun Yao Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Brazil’s inflation quickens to 4.58pc in September

09/10/26

Brazil’s inflation quickens to 4.58pc in September

Sao Paulo, 9 October (Argus) — Brazil's inflation accelerated to an annual 4.58pc in September, on broad-based gains led by higher transport, food and beverage costs. The consumer price index IPCA accelerated from 4.22pc in August, national statistics agency IBGE said on Friday. The latest move puts inflation slightly above the central bank's target range of 1.50-4.5pc. Food and beverage costs increased to an annual 4.66pc in September, up from 3.53pc in August. Transport costs increased to an annual 3.94pc in September from 3pc in August. Vehicle fuel inflation rose to 4.97pc from 4.41pc, as global fuel costs surged on the Mideast Gulf war. Housing inflation decelerated to an annual 4.22pc from 4.9pc a month earlier, pushed down in part by the end of the Itapu bonus, which launched in July and reduces electricity bills for residential and rural consumers. Personal expenses slowed to 5.9pc from 6.16pc. Brazil's central bank expects inflation to end 2026 at 5pc, above its 1.5-4.5pc targeted range. Brazil's economic growth has accelerated to an annual 2pc in the second quarter from 1.8pc in the prior three quarter after dropping from a recent high of 4.1pc in the third quarter of 2024. Meanwhile, Brazil's central bank lowered its target rate to 13.75pc in late September. By Mariana Funchal Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more