The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an oilseed plant grown in different regions of the world and Spain stands out as one of the main producing countries in Europe. Some reasons for its importance are:
- Crop rotation: sunflower is a suitable crop for crop rotation, as it has favourable characteristics for improving soil quality. Being a deep-rooted plant, it helps to breakdown soil compaction and improves soil structure.
In addition, sunflower is highly efficient in nutrient extraction, which reduces soil depletion and favours the cultivation of other crops in the following season. - Oil production: Sunflower is cultivated mainly for the high oil content of its seeds. Sunflower oil is an important source of essential fatty acids, such as linoleic acid and oleic acid, which are beneficial to health.
It is also used in the food industry and cosmetics. - Agricultural diversification: sunflower cultivation provides farmers with an additional option in crop diversification. It reduces the reliance on other crops and provides opportunities for rotation and improved farm management.
This is particularly relevant for Spain, where agriculture is an important part of the economy. - Environmental benefits: sunflower is a plant that does not require large amounts of water and is less demanding in terms of fertilisers compared to other crops. This can help to reduce the use of natural resources and reduce the environmental impact compared to more intensive crops.
In addition, sunflower flowers attract beneficial pollinators, which contributes to biodiversity and the conservation of local wildlife.- Efficient use of water: sunflower is a plant that has a moderate water demand compared to other crops. Its deep roots allow it to access deeper water sources, which reduces the need for frequent irrigation.
This can be beneficial in areas where water is scarce or where more sustainable management of water resources is sought. - Improves soil quality: the root system of the sunflower is deep and vigorous, which helps to improve soil structure. Its roots act as a breaking agent, reducing soil compaction and improving soil porosity and drainage.
In addition, sunflower has the ability to extract nutrients from the subsoil, which helps to unlock nutrients in the soil and make them available to other crops in rotation. - Attracting pollinators and promoting biodiversity: sunflower flowers are large and attractive to a wide variety of pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.
The cultivation of sunflower can contribute to the conservation of local biodiversity by providing a habitat and food source for these pollinators and other beneficial insects.
This is crucial for maintaining the health of the ecosystems and the pollination of other nearby crops. - Reduction of carbon emissions: sunflowers, like other plants, carry out photosynthesis, a process by which they capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air and convert it into biomass.
Through this process, sunflower cultivation contributes to carbon capture and storage, helping to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
- Efficient use of water: sunflower is a plant that has a moderate water demand compared to other crops. Its deep roots allow it to access deeper water sources, which reduces the need for frequent irrigation.
- Economic value and employment: sunflower cultivation has significant economic value. Spain has a strong oilseed industry, which includes the processing and export of sunflower oil. This generates employment in both rural areas and related industries.
In addition, sunflower is a crop that adapts to different climatic and soil conditions, which expands opportunities for farmers in different regions of the country.
| APPEARANCE |
SUNFLOWER CULTIVATION |
| EFFICIENT USE OF WATER | Moderate |
| USE OF FERTILISERS | Low |
| SOIL IMPROVEMENT | Deep roots and ability to extract nutrients |
| BIODIVERSITY | Attracts pollinators and promotes biodiversity |
| CARBON CAPTURE | Contributes to carbon capture and storage |
In December 2022, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecast that World Sunflower Production 2022/2023 would reach 50.70 million tonnes, about 0.60 million tonnes less than last month’s forecast.
Sunflower production by country in 2022
- Russia: 16,500,000 Mt.
- Ukraine: 10,000,000 Mt.
- European Union: 9,475,000 Mt
- Argentina: 4,200,000 Mt.
- China: 2,650,000 Mt.
- Turkey: 1,900,000 Mt.
- United States: 1,320,000 Mt.
- Kazakhstan: 1,100,000 Mt.
- South Africa: 850,000 Mt.
- Moldova: 650,000 Mt.
- Serbia: 600,000 Mt.
- Burma: 390,000 Mt.
- India: 215,000 Mt.
- Bolivia: 198,000 Mt.
- Pakistan: 135,000 Mt.
- Uruguay: 128,000 Mt.
- Canada: 68,000 Mt.
- Brazil: 64,000 Mt.
- Paraguay: 50,000 Mt.
- Iran: 44,000 Mt.
- Uzbekistan: 40,000 Mt.
- Australia: 37,000 Mt.
- Egypt: 25,000 Mt.
- Morocco: 20,000 Mt.
- Israel: 12,000 Mt.
- Switzerland: 10,000 Mt.
- Mexico: 8,000 Mt.
- North Macedonia: 6,000 Mt.
- Chile: 4,000 Mt.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: 1,000 Mt.
Interesting table of the value of vegetable oils including sunflower oil:
Source: FAO (https://www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/foodpricesindex/es/)
If you have any doubts about how to calculate the right dose of fertilisers for sunflower, about phosphate or nitrogen fertilization for your crop or about the convenience of using liquid or granular format, at DFGRUPO we are at your disposal to recommend the solutions that best suit the needs of your crop.
Please contact us, and we will be happy to discuss it with you!
