Ukrainian sunflower oil exports have significantly decreased in the current marketing year. As of March 1, 2025, the volume of exports of this product decreased by 24% compared to the same period of the previous season, amounting to 2.4 million tons.

According to the Electronic Grain Exchange, the largest consumers of Ukrainian sunflower oil remain the countries of the European Union, which purchase 54% of total exports. At the same time, India became the unexpected leader among importers, which for the first time in three seasons significantly increased purchases. In recent months, this country purchased 417 thousand tons, which is five times more than in the same period last year.

However, the overall trend in the market remains negative. In February 2025, oil exports decreased by 14% compared to January and amounted to 325 thousand tons. This is the lowest figure for this month in the last ten years. This decline is explained by price imbalances, as well as problems with the supply of raw materials for Ukrainian processors.

Due to limited sunflower stocks, enterprises are forced to reduce production, which leads to a decrease in profitability or even work "in the red". Fluctuations in world prices for vegetable oils and a general decline in oil quotes only deepen the crisis in this market segment.

Over the past week, demand prices for Ukrainian sunflower oil have decreased by $ 5-10 per ton, reaching $ 1,110-1,115/t with delivery to Black Sea ports. This occurred against the background of a drop in the cost of palm and soybean oil, which directly affected the price dynamics of the Ukrainian product.

Despite this, Ukrainian processors are still maintaining high purchase prices for sunflower. The cost of raw materials with an oil content of 50% fluctuates within 26.5–27.5 thousand UAH/t with delivery to factories. Producers hope that in the second half of the season the market will stabilize and prices for sunflower oil will begin to recover.