World Trends and Technology in Sunflower Production, Crushing and Consumption Robert Green, Cargill Australia Focus World production trends Implications on oilseed processing Production viability Sunflowers for the future World Oilseed Trends Soybeans dominate world oilseed production Increased World Oilseed Production 1981-2000 Growth in canola production has outstripped other oilseeds World Sunflower Production Argentina is the single largest producer but production can swing significantly Sunflower Production in Major Countries 1981-2001-06-07 With the exception of Argentina, production has seen limited growth Why has Sunflower Production Lagged?
Poor gross margins verses competing crops Rapid growth in palm production over the past 2 decades Steady growth in other oilseed crops such as soybean and canola Sunflower oil has been substituted with other vegetable oils World Yields Trends Sunflower yields have remained stagnant for the past 20 yrs World Vegetable Oil Consumption Major changes since 92/93:- Palm +6%, Soybean +2%, Rapeseed +2% but Sunflower 2% and Ccotton seed -2% World Vegetable Oil Production Trends The dramatic increase in palm oil production has increase competitive pressures on other oilseeds. PO has increased by 480% in past 20 yrs. World Oil Values Sunflower oil is a premium oil but drops to SBO values once intrinsic demand is covered Implications for Oilseed Processors Polyunsaturated oil market for sunflower oil has been eroded by canola There has been good growth in high oleic sunflower oil but from a low base Relatively low meal contribution to crush returns. Managing production swings with seasonal conditions
Contributions to Crush returns Low SFM values detract from total crush revenues for sunflowers Domestic Oil Demand Domestic SFO demand is capped. Sunflower oil demand has been eroded by the growth in canola. SFO demand has stabilised at approx. 40K mt / year (margarine & branded oils). High oleic SFO is displacing some tallow/palm in the food services sector. Meal Specification Comparison High crude fibre and lower protein and energy levels makes sunflower less valuable in animal feeds Limitations of Domestic Sunflower Demand Intrinsic oil demand is 100K mt seed equivalent however some of this is serviced from imported SFO. The combination of low SF gross margins, high internal transport and logistics costs and competition from other meals and oils is limiting the polyunsaturated SF crush to 65K mt in recent years. SFM is sold into the ruminant market and demand varies with weather conditions. High oleic SFO is displacing some tallow/palm in the food services sector which has established new demand for SFO. Factors Influencing Viability of Sunflower Production Relatively low yields and higher agronomic risks than other crops.
High internal logistic and transport costs to get SF to crush and products to market. Competition from other vegetable oils and protein meals. Crop Yields for Sunflower, Wheat and Sorghum Sunflower have not seen similar yield gains as competing crops. Oil Value Comparisons SFO traditionally trades at a premium to other oils Gross Margin Comparison Data from DPI dry land trials 200/2001 indicate low yields mean that sunflowers do not compare favourably to other crops in gross margin. Australian Sunflower and Sorghum Area by Region CQ production levels have fluctuated with seasonal conditions Seed Production and Oil Demand Comparison Distances between production and demand areas adds to high logistics and handling costs The Future of Sunflower Production in Australia Need to increase GM returns for sunflower production. This can be done by: Increasing yields
Bridge the gap with competing crops Increased oil values Specialty oils Heath attributes Increasing meal values Processing advances Breeding opportunities