Under the theme “the culture that exceeds your limits,” the congress featured specialists discussing genetics, technology, management, market trends, and macroeconomic perspectives.

Pure Sunflower was presented in a hybrid format: in-person at the rural society of Río Cuarto, and via streaming at www.purogirasol.com.ar.The event, which ran from 8 am to 3 pm, included gastronomic spaces for networking.

Sunflower’s National Expansion

The sunflower congress was prompted by the crop’s increasing cultivation beyond traditional regions like southern Buenos Aires, Chaco, and Santa Fe.this expansion is driven by the need for diversification and competitive margins,making it a viable alternative in many regions. The increased presence in rotations has also led to a greater demand for agronomic management data among producers.

Córdoba was chosen to host the first edition due to the exponential growth in planting area in the south of the province during recent campaigns. The area increased from approximately 10,000 to 180,000 hectares, marking the most meaningful proportional increase in the country. This region serves as an example for producers nationwide, demonstrating how progress was achieved through adapted genetics, technology, and close collaboration.

The congress addressed topics such as lot evaluation, hybrid management, integrated pest management, cultivation protection, genetic gain, planting density, and planting quality.

“We wanted to generate a meeting point of the sunflower world… a unique possibility to put the sunflower in the centre of the scene.”

Collaborative space

According to Julián Siri,Technical coordinator of pure sunflower,the event’s key was its collaborative nature. “We wanted to generate a meeting point of the sunflower world. Along with researchers and technicians, actors from all over the sector such as seedlings, distributors and advisors will participate,” he said. He emphasized that it was “a unique opportunity to put the sunflower in the center of the scene.”

Future Opportunities

With the harvest recently completed, sunflower is expected to be a key crop for the 2024/25 campaign. Data from the Buenos Aires Cereal Stock Exchange indicates a yield of 23.4 QQ/Ha and a final production of 4.7 m/tn,surpassing the average of the last five campaigns by 13 and 26%,respectively.

Private estimates anticipate a 10% increase in area for the next cycle. Pure sunflower addressed market expectations, including estimates of stock, production, and global demand, to project price scenarios for the remainder of the year and 2026.

The congress also featured insights from Roberto Cachanosky on making investments.

Bruno Simonetti, General Coordinator of Congress, stated that Pure sunflower aims to become a reference for the crop. “More than an event, it is indeed a statement. It is the first national sunflower congress after a long time, and is thinking to attract, connect and enhance the producers who are betting on today, or want to bet, to a crop that still has a lot to grow up,” he concluded.

Participation in pure sunflower was free with prior registration on the Congress website: www.purogirasol.com.ar.