About Sunflower
Sunflower oil is one of India's favourite cooking oils, but India grows only a small part of its needs and imports the rest.
Where Sunflower Is Grown in Maharashtra
The main sunflower districts of Maharashtra are Latur, Solapur, Osmanabad (Dharashiv). Maharashtra is India's leading producer of onion, grapes, pomegranate, banana (with Gujarat and Andhra), tur, soybean, cotton and sugarcane, and of Alphonso mango and Nagpur orange. Its mandis at Lasalgaon, Latur, Sangli, Solapur and Vashi are among the best known in India.
Season in Maharashtra
Kharif and rabi crops. Exact arrival dates in Maharashtra depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Sunflower Is Sold in Maharashtra
Farm produce is sold through regulated APMC market yards under the state's agricultural produce marketing law, run by the state agricultural marketing board, with many yards linked to eNAM. Maharashtra has been a leader in FPO-led marketing and in allowing direct sales outside APMC yards for fruits and vegetables.
Other major markets in Maharashtra
- Lasalgaon and PimpalgaonOnion, tomato, grapesAboutExplore
- LaturTur, soybeanAboutExplore
- Vashi APMC, Navi MumbaiFruits, vegetables, AlphonsoAboutExplore
- SangliTurmeric, raisinsAboutExplore
- SolapurOnion, pomegranate, jowarAboutExplore
- Kalamna, NagpurOrangeAboutExplore
- JalgaonBanana, cottonAboutExplore
Government Buying in Maharashtra
MSP announced. In Maharashtra, buying is organised through the agencies below, usually at procurement centres in or near the mandis during the harvest window. Farmers register in advance, and payment is made to their bank accounts.
- Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB)Regulated markets, export facilitiesAboutExplore
- MahaFPC (Maharashtra Farmer Producer Companies)FPO procurement and marketingAboutExplore
Quality and Price Notes
Domestic sunflower seed is valued by oil content (around 35–40 per cent). Refined sunflower oil prices in India follow world sunflower oil prices from the Black Sea and Argentina, the rupee, and Indian import duty. Supply disruptions in the Black Sea region have shown how exposed Indian kitchens are, which is one reason the government wants to revive domestic sunflower.
Buyers, Processors and Exporters
These companies and bodies buy, process or export sunflower across India, including from Maharashtra. Tap a name for details.
- AWL Agri Business LtdAhmedabad · Fortune edible oils (formerly Adani Wilmar)AboutExplore
- Patanjali Foods LtdRuchi Gold, Nutrela, Patanjali oils (formerly Ruchi Soya)AboutExplore
- Cargill India Pvt LtdGemini and Nature Fresh oilsAboutExplore
- Bunge India Pvt LtdDalda and other oilsAboutExplore
- Marico LtdSaffola edible oils, Parachute coconut oilAboutExplore
- Gokul Agro Resources LtdGandhidham, Gujarat · edible oils and oilseeds processingAboutExplore
- Emami Agrotech LtdKolkata · Emami Healthy & Tasty, mustard and other oilsAboutExplore
Research and Advice in Maharashtra
New varieties, crop advice and seed for sunflower growers in Maharashtra come from the state agricultural universities below and from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district.
- Mahatma Phule Krishi VidyapeethRahuriAboutExplore
- Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi VidyapeethAkolaAboutExplore
- Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi VidyapeethParbhaniAboutExplore
- Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi VidyapeethDapoliAboutExplore
Sunflower in Other States
Karnataka · Andhra Pradesh · Telangana · Odisha
Related: Sunflower – all India · Maharashtra · All crops
Names are listed for reference only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation. The About and Explore buttons open Google in a new tab; results there are generated by Google and third parties, not by this site. Prices, MSP, export rules and schemes change often. Nothing here is financial, legal or purchasing advice. Full disclaimer