In the EU, additional shifting out of sunflower seed production is expected as a result of the Agenda 2000 reforms. Production in Argentina is expected to remain stable. Decreased crush will result in a decreased supply of oil and meal, with lower use and carry-out stocks of these products. Canada Canadian sunflower production is forecast to increase by about 5 percent to 130,000 t due to a 10 percent higher seeded area, which is expected to be partly offset by lower trend yields. The average price, over both types, is forecast to be similar to, or slightly lower than 1999-2000.
Yields are comparable to traditional hybrids.
There are no confectionary type NuSun hybrids. The oleic acid content of NuSun oil is in the 65 percent range compared to traditional sunflower oil at 16 percent, canola oil at 61 percent and soybean oil at 23 percent. Oil produced from NuSun hybrids has less saturated fatty acids than traditional hybrids. The 72 percent linoleic acid content of traditional hybrids has been reduced to 26 percent, which means that hydrogenation, bubbling hydrogen into the oil, is not necessary for NuSun hybrids. Since there is no hydrogenation, there is no formation of trans fatty acids, which some nutritionists consider unhealthy.