Expanded sunflower farming in Saxony-Anhalt sees a threefold increase - Sunflower cultivation in Saxony-Anhalt significantly increased by over three times
In the agricultural heartland of Saxony-Anhalt, sunflowers have become a vital crop, growing significantly in recent years. The peak of sunflower cultivation area was reached in 2022, covering 22,700 hectares—the second largest in Germany, surpassed only by Brandenburg.
This expansion can be attributed to a combination of factors. The need for a climate-resilient crop, particularly in the face of increasingly dry summers, has driven farmers and the agricultural sector to more than triple sunflower cultivation in Saxony-Anhalt. Sunflowers, being heat-resistant, offer a suitable alternative for low-rainfall regions like Saxony-Anhalt.
However, the increase in sunflower cultivation does not solely stem from demand. The war in Ukraine, which led to a significant increase in the demand for sunflower seeds in 2022, has also played a role. This surge in demand, coupled with the crop's resilience, has made sunflowers a key crop in the agricultural landscape of Saxony-Anhalt.
Despite the boom in sunflower cultivation, the marketing of sunflower seeds remains challenging for farmers, according to the farmers' association. Sunflower oil, used as a high-quality edible oil and for margarine production, provides a valuable outlet for these seeds.
Hecht, a prominent figure in the agricultural sector, emphasises that the attractiveness of sunflowers is not the main reason for their increased cultivation. Instead, it is a necessity due to the lack of alternatives. The increase in sunflower cultivation does not necessarily equate to progress, but rather a loss of crop diversity due to the lack of effective and practical plant protection methods for other crops.
Looking ahead, the cultivation area for sunflowers in Saxony-Anhalt is expected to be 16,900 hectares in 2025. Approximately 360 operations in Saxony-Anhalt cultivate sunflowers, contributing to the significance of sunflower cultivation in the region.
As the world grapples with climate change and global trade disruptions, the resilient sunflower crop continues to play a crucial role in Saxony-Anhalt's agricultural sector.
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