US production of most pulse and special crops was higher in 2025 compared to a year earlier, with sunflower output seeing a particularly strong rebound.
According to Monday’s USDA 2025 crop summary, total American sunflower production jumped to 1.053 million tonnes, an increase of 103% from the record low 2024 crop of just 517,640. The increase was due to an 82% increase in harvested area to 1.25 million acres, along with a record high average yield of 1,863 lbs/acre, up 193 lbs from 2024.
US production of oil-type sunflower varieties, at 966,151 tonnes, increased 126% from 2024. Compared with the previous year, harvested acres were up 104% and the average yield increased by 184 lbs to a record high 1,848 lbs/acre. On the other hand, production of non-oil sunflower varieties was estimated at 85,729 tonnes, a decrease of 4% from 2024. Area harvested, at a record low 92,200 acres, was down 21% from 2024 but the average yield increased by 354 lbs from 2024.
Flax production more than doubled as well, rising 116% to 132,140 tonnes. Harvested area totaled 234,000 acres in 2025, up 68% from 2024, while the average yield increased 4.8 bu/acre from last year to 22.2 bu/acre.
Lentil production increased 17% on the year to 478,860 tonnes, with harvested area up 5% to 949,000 acres and the average yield increasing 110 lbs/acre to 1,112 lbs.
At 838,240 tonnes, US dry pea production increased 9% from 2024. Harvested area was up 11% at 1.06 million acres, but the average yield, at 29 bu/acre, was down 0.6 bu from a year earlier.
The 2025 American chickpea crop amounted to 310,440 tonnes, an increase of 20% from the previous year. Harvested area increased 5% to 520,300 acres, while the average yield was up 167 lbs at 1,315 lbs/acre.
In contrast, dry bean output declined. The USDA pegged the 2025 crop at 1.218 million tonnes, a 14% drop from a year earlier. Harvested area fell 11% on the year to 1.33 million acres, while the average yield fell 69 lbs to 2,012 lbs/acre.
Mustard production was weaker as well, falling 31% to 32,260 tonnes, amid a 37% decline in harvested area to 111,800 acres. However, the average mustard yield, at 636 lbs/acre, was 58 lbs above 2024.
