Sunflower

Sunflower divides into confection and oilseed types, and they are separate trades. Confection seed is larger, sold in-shell or as kernels for snacking and bakery, and specified on size, colour and defect. Oilseed varieties are smaller and grown for crushing.

Canadian production is concentrated in Manitoba and is smaller than the pulse or canola trades, so it tends to serve specification-led rather than volume-led demand.

Sunflower oil is specified like other vegetable oils on refining parameters, with the additional variable of oleic content: high-oleic varieties carry better oxidative stability, which matters disproportionately in a hot, humid supply chain. Ask about it explicitly if the destination is tropical.

For confection seed, the practical variables at destination are roasting and seasoning capability, since most Canadian export volume moves as raw kernels for local processing rather than as finished snack product. Confirm kernel size grading against your equipment before contracting, because a size that runs well on one line can jam another.