EU Sunflower Seed Harvest Rises to 9.6 Million Tonnes
The European Commission estimates the 2026 EU-27 sunflower seed harvest, with Romania and Bulgaria leading the increase.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Organic Food
The European Commission estimated the 2026 EU-27 sunflower seed harvest at 9.6 million tonnes, 13% above the previous year. Romania and Bulgaria are expected to drive the increase over 2025 production.
Why it matters
The projected rise follows a weaker 2024 result and remains below the 2023 level, shaping the supply outlook for sunflower-derived products across the bloc. Expanded planted area and higher yields underpin the estimate.
The Commission's estimate puts EU-27 output at 9.6 million tonnes, with Romania at 2.50 million tonnes and Bulgaria at 2.27 million tonnes, together just under half the total. Final volumes depend on yields not yet recorded for the season.
The players
European Commission
The executive body of the European Union that produces official crop estimates for member states.
The details
Romania's output is expected to rise about 39% and Bulgaria's about 45% over the previous year, while Hungary is estimated at 1.5 million tonnes and France at 1.22 million tonnes. Germany's sunflower area reached a record high of just over 100,000 hectares in 2026.
Timeline
2023: Benchmark year with a high sunflower seed harvest.
2024: Weak sunflower seed harvest result.
2025: Previous-year baseline for the comparison.
2026: Estimated EU-27 harvest of 9.6 million tonnes.
Season Trajectory
The 2026 estimate marks a recovery from the weak 2024 harvest but remains below the 2023 benchmark year. Romania and Bulgaria's gains show how member-state output swings can reshape the EU-wide total.
Larger sunflower seed supply can influence the cost and availability of sunflower oil and related food ingredients across European markets. The effect on retail prices depends on how processors and buyers respond to the higher output.
The takeaway
Rising harvests in Romania and Bulgaria are reshaping EU sunflower supply, so readers tracking food ingredient costs can watch these national figures as the season progresses.
Further reading
Explore more on Organic Food for context on how crop supply shapes food products.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Biofuels International.
