• How much sunflower oil is produced in the EU?
  • Total sunflower oil production per year in the EU between 2008 and 2012 was 2.47 million t; this was mainly concentrated in France (0.55 million t), Spain (0.37 million t), Hungary (0.31 million t), Romania (0.27 million t), The Netherlands (0.21 million t), and Germany (0.19 million t).
  • How did sunflower maintain its competitiveness on Oilseeds markets?
  • Sunflower succeeded in maintaining its competitiveness on oilseeds markets in the previous decades, through continuous innovation in genetics, production and markets and a growing segmentation.
  • How will the EU’s sunflower production change in the next 10 years?
  • Current forecasts predict the stabilization of a sunflower cultivation area around 4 million ha in the EU in the next 10 years, together with a slight increase in seed yield. The EU will continue to be a net importer of sunflower meal and oil, with no significant changes in meal but a significant decrease in oil net imports (FAPRI-ISU, 2012).
  • What are the characteristics of sunflower production in Hungary?
  • One important characteristic of sunflower production in Hungary is the predominance of herbicide-tolerant hybrids, which represented around 80% of the whole market in 2013. Fungal diseases are the most limiting factors for sunflower production ( Szab¨®, 2007 ). Genetic resistance to downy mildew is mandatory for all hybrids registered in Hungary.
  • What are the characteristics of sunflower production in France?
  • A notable characteristic of sunflower production in France is the relevance of high oleic acid hybrids, which account for more than 50% of the total sunflower production ( Kleintgartner, 2011; Labalette and Raoul, 2012 ). Figure 18.3. Main sunflower production regions in France in 2011.
  • Does sunflower oil affect biodiesel prices?
  • Sunflower oil is not directly involved in biodiesel, but most economists reach the conclusion that the emergence of biofuels made energy prices a driver of long-run agricultural price levels and that instability in energy markets is transferred to food markets ( Serra and Zilberman, 2013 ).