🌻 Why Sunflower Prices in Ukraine Have Risen Sharply: The Impact of the EU and Domestic Trends

Price Surge: What’s Happening

In November, the Ukrainian sunflower market has experienced a significant price increase — export prices for sunflower seeds delivered to processing plants now range between $590–600 per ton (excluding VAT, based on 50% oil content).
The main reasons are harvest delays, shortages of raw materials for processors, and rising demand for sunflower oil.

The EU Factor: How Europe Influences Ukrainian Prices

In the European Union, the expected sunflower seed harvest is about 8.5 million tons, which is only around 3% higher than last year.
As a result, EU processors are increasingly reducing seed purchases and opting instead to import ready-made sunflower oil, which strengthens demand for Ukrainian raw materials.

Domestic Factors: Supply, Demand, and Farmers’ Strategies

• Harvest delays in Ukraine have led to a temporary shortage of sunflower supply.
• Processing companies are now competing for available seeds, which pushes up purchase prices.
• Many farmers are holding back sales, expecting prices to continue rising, which further restricts market supply.

Market Outlook: What to Expect Next

Although prices are currently high, analysts suggest that once the harvest is completed and supply increases, there could be a slight easing of price pressure.
However, the processing sector continues to face difficulties due to raw material shortages and uncertainty about future procurement conditions.

Conclusion

The sharp rise in sunflower prices in Ukraine reflects a complex mix of external EU influences, domestic logistical and seasonal challenges, and market psychology among farmers.
For market participants, it is crucial to monitor harvest progress, supply volumes, and market expectations to determine whether current high prices are a temporary fluctuation or a sign of a longer-term trend.

2025, Week 1 (approx. November 1–7): ~27,730 UAH/t (source: Tripoli — period 04.11.2025–11.11.2025, average price).
Tripoli

2025, Week 2 (approx. November 8–14): ~27,691 UAH/t (source: Tripoli — period 05.11.2025–12.11.2025).
Tripoli

2024, Week 1 (November 1–7): ~25,050 UAH/t (average based on GrainTrade data — publication 01.11.2024 including several regional and offer prices).
GrainTrade

2024, Week 2 (November 8–14): ~25,206 UAH/t (average based on publications dated 11–12 November 2024).
Agronavt

Brief Report — Sunflower Oil Market Prices (Bulk), Ukraine

In the first half of 2025, sunflower oil quotations in USD/ton were relatively high (peaking at around $1,300–1,340/t early in the year), but by August 2025 prices declined to around $1,130–1,185/t due to seasonal factors and improved crop forecasts. Below is a table with representative monthly values, a price chart, and main data sources.

Table — Representative Prices (USD / ton)

Ukrainian Sunflower Oil Prices Drop Amid Global Supply Increase

Updated Price Levels

According to monitoring by the information agency АПК‑Інформ, the price of Ukrainian-port-delivered sunflower oil has fallen by roughly US $35 per tonne over less than two weeks.
As of November 5, 2025, the demand price for sunflower oil in Ukrainian ports is predominantly at or below US $1,230/tonne CPT port, which marks a decrease of US $35/tonne compared to prices recorded on November 24 (when they were at the highest in three years).

Driving Factors for the Decline

Several factors are putting downward pressure on prices:

• A notable reduction in the quotations for palm oil is influencing the sunflower oil market.
• Globally, there is an increased supply of vegetable oils—specifically rapeseed and sunflower oils—typical for this phase of the season.