Sunflower in High Demand

For some in our nationthey are an addiction or maybe just a good way to pass the time. Reporter ...  More »

For some in our nationthey are an addiction or maybe just a good way to pass the time. Reporter Sarah Gustin tells us how cracking seeds is becoming an attraction in another country... (John Sandbakken / NSA) When they eat sunflower seeds in Spain they crack them one at a time, rather than putting a whole handful in your mouth. Pipas or as we know them, sunflowers are not only a popular snack food in the United States, but in Spain as well. (John Sandbakken / NSA) They eat most of them during Soccer matches and things like that, outdoor activities, just like what we would do here. Marketing Director for the National Sunflower Association, John Sandbakken, recently traveled to Spain to meet with confection sunflower importers. Spain buys nearly half of the United State's confection sunflower exports each year. Last year the country imported about 32-thousand metric tons of non-oil sunflowers. Sandbakken says Spain would like to see that number increase by at least 5 percent this year. And he says Spain is willing to pay the price. (John Sandbakken / NSA) It is kinda fun to go to a market where you can actually sell a premium product at a premium price. The demand is there, but the bigger question may be the supply. North Dakota raises more than half of our nation's confection sunflower crop. But, the latest federal Agriculture Department report shows 2008 non-oil sunflower acres in North Dakota are expected to be down. (John Sandbakken / NSA) The processing plants are basically all in North Dakota, Minnesota, this area and so the acres here are really key for the industry. So I have a feeling they are going to be pretty aggressive tryng to get those acres back just because of the demand for in-shell. Sanbakken says being sunflowers are planted later in the season, they are hoping to still pick up some acres. Reporting for KX news, I am Sarah Gustin. Non-oil sunflower contracts are still avaliable. If you are interested in contracting your crop or learning more about Spain's increasing demand you can contact the National Sunflower Assocation.  « Less