Why Your Sunflower Seeds Aren’t Reaching Maximum Oil Yield — And How to Fix It

You’ve invested in quality sunflower seeds. You’ve got a working press. But your oil yield still falls short of expectations — and you’re not alone.

According to industry data from the International Oilseed Council (IOC), average oil extraction rates for sunflower seeds range between 35%–42%, but with proper pre-treatment, this can rise to 48%+ — a significant gain in profit per tonne.

The Hidden Culprits Behind Low Extraction Rates

Most producers overlook two critical factors: moisture content and impurities. If your seeds have more than 10% moisture or contain even 3–5% foreign material (like stems, shells, or sand), your press will struggle — leading to lower oil recovery, higher energy use, and increased wear on equipment.

5 Pre-Treatment Steps That Make the Difference

Here’s how top-performing plants optimize their process:

1. Cleaning: Remove dust, stones, and plant debris using vibrating screens and air aspirators.
2. Dehulling: A mechanical dehuller removes hulls before pressing — increasing surface area contact and reducing fiber interference.
3. Moisture Adjustment: Dry or humidify seeds to maintain 8–10% moisture — ideal for cold-press systems.
4. Temperature Control: For hot pressing, heat to 70–85°C to improve oil release without damaging nutrients.
5. Filtration Precision: Use multi-stage filtration (mesh + vacuum filter) to recover residual oil and reduce waste by up to 30%.

“After installing our high-efficiency filter system, we saw a 28% drop in residue loss — that’s an extra 2 tons of oil per month.”
— Ahmed R., Plant Manager, Egypt

Match Your Process to Your Scale

Small-scale operations benefit most from cold-press setups with integrated filters — they’re simpler, require less maintenance, and preserve flavor profiles. Large factories should consider hot-press lines paired with continuous refining systems for maximum throughput and purity.

Pro tip: Schedule monthly checks on rollers, heaters, and filters. Even minor misalignment can cost 2–5% in yield over time.