Source: APKinform (Ukraine)
Ukrainian sunflower oil exports are currently low, as local producers are struggling to secure the necessary raw materials for sustained operations for the coming months. This information comes from analysts at the APK-Inform news agency.
Recent data indicates that in February, the export volume of sunflower oil reached only 325 thousand tons, marking a 14% decline from January’s figures and representing the lowest monthly shipment total for the 2024/25 season. This figure also stands as the lowest recorded for February in the past decade.
Simultaneously, market participants have noted a slight increase in sunflower sales by farmers during February, which could lead to a rise in both production and exports of sunflower oil in March and April.
Despite heightened competition within the global vegetable oil market, a predicted decrease in sunflower oil supplies from major producing nations in the latter part of this season is anticipated to sustain demand. Nonetheless, a seasonal increase in sunflower oil availability from Argentina might partially satisfy importers’ needs during the spring-summer months, potentially curbing significant price hikes for this commodity.
From September to February of the 2024/25 marketing year, Ukraine exported a total of 2.4 million tons of sunflower oil, which represents a 24% reduction compared to the same timeframe last season, making it the smallest export volume for the first half of the season since the 2016/17 marketing year.
The majority of the exports, at 54%, were directed towards EU countries. Notably, for the first time in three seasons, India emerged as the leading importer of Ukrainian sunflower oil, receiving 417 thousand tons, a fivefold increase compared to the same period last year.