Sunflower Seed Prices Slip in South Africa – Harvest Pressure and Oil Weakness Weigh

After weeks of sideways movement, sunflower seed futures in South Africa turned lower. Harvest pressure and weak vegetable oil markets dragged values down across all contracts.

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📊 Market Situation & Price Development (SAFEX – ZAR/t)

South African sunflower seed futures fell on Wednesday across all delivery months. The May 2025 contract dropped by 106 ZAR to 8,860 ZAR/t, equivalent to approximately 443 EUR/t based on a conversion rate of 20.00 ZAR = 1.00 EUR.

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🌍 Key Market Drivers

• Harvest Pressure BuildsThe South African crop is being delivered to processors, adding weight to near-term contracts.
• Global Vegetable Oil WeaknessThe sharp decline in soy oil and palm oil this week weighed on sunflower oil demand expectations.
• Currency StabilityThe South African rand remained firm, offering little export incentive and making local supply more attractive to domestic crushers.
• Demand Outlook MixedWhile local feed and food demand remains stable, export competitiveness is limited compared to cheaper Ukrainian sunflower oil.

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💼 Trading Strategy & Market Outlook

The short-term trend is weakening as harvest progresses. Buyers may gain leverage in the coming weeks.

Strategy:– Wait for harvest lows around 8,700–8,800 ZAR/t– Monitor oilseed complex globally (soy, rapeseed, palm oil)– Longs only after signs of export reactivation or crush improvement

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📈 3-Day Price Forecast (Jul 25 Contract in ZAR/t)

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🌦️ 14-Day Weather Outlook – Sunflower Regions (South Africa)

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