RED RIVER COMMODITIES
NEWS LETTER 

SUNFLOWER WEEK IN REVIEW

NOVEMBER 9, 2001

HARVEST WRAPPED UP
The sunflower harvest is nearly complete in all states.  Quality on the latter half of the crop appears to have increased in test weight, oil content and yield in most producing states.  A wide test weight and oil content variance within regions is considerable and unusual from past years.  Oil type test weights vary from a low 23 to a high 35.5 while oil contents vary from a low of 30 to a high of 49.

SUNFLOWER OIL HOT COMMODITY
Sunflower oil is the hottest commodity in the market with values, in relationship to other oils, not seen for many years.  Sunflower oil values have increased by 15 percent over the last two weeks in Europe, Argentina and the US.  The production of sunflower has declined sharply this year in Argentina, Russia and in East and West Europe.  Now the Argentine plantings of sunflower are impacted by excessively wet soils because of historically high rainfall in many areas.  An increase in Argentine sunflower planting was expected.  There is still time to plant sunflower in most areas and there is a price incentive to that.  However, most analysts are now anticipating little change from last year's production level.

ESSENTIAL NUTRIENT IN SUNFLOWER
Choline, identified as an essential nutrient by the National Academy of Sciences, is another important phytochemical identified in sunflower seeds.  Among plant based sources, sunflower and soybean have the highest concentrations of choline.  Choline is a critical element of the body's neurotransmission system and necessary for memory and cognitive function, heart health and liver function.  According to researcher Dr. Katherine Phillips of Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, a one-ounce serving of sunflower seeds supplies 8 percent of the recommended 'Adequate Intake'.

Red River Commodities -- 2001 Planted Acres & Production Estimates

USDA Crop Production Reports

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