USDA released the first production forecast for 2023 at 2.19 billion pounds, down 22 percent from the revised 2022 production of 2.81 billion pounds. Area planted, at 1.32 million acres, is down 2 percent from the June estimate and down 22 percent from last year.
Sunflower growers expect to harvest 1.26 million acres, down 2 percent from the June forecast and down 21 percent from 2022. Acreage updates were made in several states based on a thorough review of all available data. The October 2023 yield forecast, at 1,738 pounds per acre, is 13 pounds lower than last year’s yield but will still represent the third highest on record for the U.S., if realized.
The forecasted production in North Dakota, the leading sunflower-producing state this year, is 1.08 billion pounds, a decrease of 20 percent from 2022. Compared with last year, the average yield forecast of 1,938 pounds per acre in North Dakota is up 17 pounds.
In South Dakota, the average yield is forecast at 1,668 pounds per acre, down 78 pounds from last year.
The yield forecast in Minnesota and North Dakota will be the highest on record, if realized.
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