In Ukraine, sunflower oil prices are rising rapidly due to a shortage of raw materials. The cost of sunflower has exceeded 18 thousand hryvnias per ton, and factories are forced to buy it at high prices due to low stocks.

This is reported by analysts of the "PUSK" cooperative, according to the press service of the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council (VAR).

The current purchase price for sunflower exceeds UAH 18,000 per ton, which is due to the limited supply on the world market. This situation forces factories to pay high prices for raw materials in an effort to replenish their stocks.

The main producers of sunflower oil in the world are Russia and Ukraine. Russia mainly exports its products to China, while other countries turn to Ukraine, where the supply is limited. This creates additional pressure on the Ukrainian market and contributes to the increase in sunflower oil prices.

"The rise in prices for sunflower oil is associated with a limited offer on the market. The resumption of port operations in March-February caused a significant decrease in sunflower stocks, which also affects the rise in prices," experts note.

Refineries operate with minimal profit, waiting for the new season of oil crops. Current prices often make the mills a minimal profit or even a loss, but the main goal is to keep them running until the beginning of the canola season, when the new crop arrives for processing.

Experts predict a further rise in sunflower prices in the coming days. It is expected that purchase prices will reach 19,000 hryvnias per ton by the end of this week or early next.

In May, 620 tons of Ukrainian sunflower oil were contracted for export. However, analysts warn that export rates may slow down in July-August.