Investing in sunflower in the “safrinha” is a profitable alternative for the national producer

Sunflower is not only one of the most important oilseed crops, it is also one of the main sources of consumable vegetable juice in the world. Considered premium when compared to other vegetable oils, production has been growing in scale in recent years, confirming the economic advantages for the crop. According to the German consultancy OilWorld, sunflower oil exports from the five main countries accumulated 2,3 million tons from July to September, an increase of 23% compared to the previous year, and predict that world exports could reach 10,6 million tons. tons in the year 2022/23, an increase of 8% compared to the previous year.

For Caramuru Alimentos, a leading Brazilian company processing soybeans, corn, sunflower and canola, global trade in sunflower oil is booming and producers are seeing an increase in interest in cultivating the plant. “Producers are increasingly engaged in sunflower planting, as this agriculture thrives on a variety of soil types, as long as they are fertile, and provides the opportunity to harvest high yields, even in arid areas,” explains Célio Garcia, Director of Operations at Caramuru. 

In 2021, Brazil imported 53,7 thousand tons of the product and, for the company, the expectation for the next harvest is growth in imports of the product. “The consumption of sunflower oil is gradually increasing around the world, mainly due to economic gains, and is among the best-selling in the world in the branded oil segment”, explains Túlio Ribeiro Silva, Business Coordinator at Caramuru.

Domestic consumption of sunflower oil in Brazil is 100.000 tons per year and production accounts for 14.000 tons of conventional sunflower oil and 7.000 tons of high oleic, destined for the food industry in Brazil. “Approximately 80% of production needs come from imports, which is why it is so important to develop this industry in the country to reduce external dependence on the need for this oilseed”, adds Túlio.