The drought and war in Ukraine is driving sunflower prices to record highs. Now that its cultivation requires less water and fertilizer than corn, it is becoming popular. Some farmers in the rest of Europe are returning to cultivate it. Suddenly profitable again.
La Vendée, in particular, is one of the departments where the trend is strongest, with an increase of more than 2,500 hectares for oilseeds and a decrease in 5 to 12,000 hectares for grain corn, while those destined for fodder remain stable.
Régis Bonnin highlights: “We made the decision in March, especially unfortunately due to the war in Ukraine and the sharp rise in sunflower prices. I grew sunflowers 20-25 years ago. We stopped growing because of pests, pigeons, because it had to be reseeded, it caused problems. With prices at 300, 350 euros, it was an unprofitable crop, so it was better to grow corn, wheat or rapeseed, and we put it aside for a while.”
If the crisis continues, other farmers They could follow suit. In this way, the lack of supply in the domestic market could be compensated and they would obtain great benefits.
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