Agricultural Economics, Department of
Cornhusker Economics
Rebounding Acres: The 2025 Sunflower Surge and What Comes Next
Date of this Version
2-25-2026
Document Type
Newsletter Issue
Citation
Cornhusker Economics, February 25, 2026
Agricultural Economics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Abstract
Sunflower production in Nebraska and across the United States has experienced significant variability over the past three decades, influenced by shifting acreage, changing market dynamics, and evolving farm policy. The strong rebound in 2025—driven by higher planted acres, improved yields, and firm market prices—highlights the crop’s continued potential despite long‑term declines in acreage. Nationally, rising prices, tightening global stocks, and steady demand signal favorable conditions heading into 2026. Policy changes, including increased reference prices for oilseeds under the OBBBA, may further encourage planting decisions. Whether this momentum carries forward will depend on producer response to market signals, global supply conditions, and the broader economic environment for crop production.