Pumpkin seeds: Despite the Chinese succumbing to the temptation of re-planting increased acreage, in order to take advantage of the high pricing, rather than this leading to softer prices, the effect has been minimal and seems to have attracted even more demand and interest for this seed. It remains hard to see how and when the old and traditional prices can be recovered.
Sunflower seeds: Prices have continued to firm, although not at an unsustainable rate. The fluctuations in the edible oils market are a key influence, but the main factor is the comparative pricing, where, against its 'sister' commodities of pumpkin and pine nuts, sunflower remains excellent value and demand is only likely to grow on comparative pricing alone. We forecast mostly increases on sunflower seeds for most of 2011.
l Based on information supplied by RM Curtis