In Ukraine, sunflower oil production is expected to reach about 4 million tons in 2026. Although this is less than the pre-war figures of 5–6 million tons, the volume will be enough to satisfy the country's domestic consumption. This is reported by Delo.ua with reference to the head of the analytical department of the Ukrainian Club of Agrarian Business (UCAB) Svitlana Lytvyn.

According to her, the domestic demand for sunflower oil is about 400–500 thousand tons per year. Thus, the Ukrainian market will be provided, but the reduction in production limits the country's export potential and reduces the possibility of attracting additional foreign exchange earnings.

The main reason for the decline in sunflower yields is the occupation of the southern regions of Ukraine, where this crop was traditionally grown. In 2024–2025, the volumes of sunflower seed harvest amounted to 11 and 10 million tons, respectively, while before the war they reached 16 million tons.

Lytvyn emphasized that the increase in prices for sunflower oil is explained by the reduction in the harvest, the destruction of infrastructure due to Russian shelling and export restrictions. At the same time, prices for Ukrainian oil are closely correlated with global market indicators for soybean, rapeseed and palm oil.

In addition to sunflower, Ukraine is trying to increase the processing of other oilseeds. According to an optimistic forecast, in 2026 the production of soybean and rapeseed oil may reach 500 thousand tons each. However, these volumes are not yet able to compensate for the losses in sunflower oil production.

Analysts note that despite the reduction in production, the domestic market will remain well-supplied, which will avoid a shortage for consumers. At the same time, preserving export potential requires stabilizing crops, restoring production infrastructure, and expanding processing capacities.