Category Archives: market overview

Ukrainian Processors Secure Sunflower Stocks: Prices Remain Stable, but Market Under Pressure

As of May 2025, Ukrainian oilseed processors have already purchased sufficient volumes of sunflower seeds to ensure uninterrupted operation of their facilities. Prices for sunflower seeds with 50% oil content remain in the range of UAH 26,000–26,700 per ton (USD 550–565/t excluding VAT) with delivery to the plant.

Global sunflower crisis: oil prices break records

In March 2025, the average price of a bottle of sunflower oil in Ukraine reached a record 77.5 hryvnias, which is 38% more than in March 2024. Experts attribute this increase to several factors, including a reduced sunflower harvest and increased demand in the global market.

Market fluctuations: from falling to rising sunflower prices in Ukraine

📉 Beginning of the week: decrease in sunflower prices

At the beginning of the week, sunflower prices in Ukraine continued to decline. The main reason for this was the accumulation of sufficient raw material stocks by processing enterprises for the near future.

Sunflower prices in Ukraine are rising again

Over the past week, Ukraine has seen an increase in sunflower prices. At the end of the week, purchase prices increased by 200–500 UAH/t.

According to APK-Inform, the cost of raw materials has almost returned to the level of the end of February, reaching 26,000–27,300 UAH/t (CPT). At the same time, processors remain cautious in adjusting prices.

Sunflower and sunflower oil market: trends and forecasts

The market for sunflower and sunflower oil looks like this:

Leading positions of sunflower oil

Ukraine traditionally holds leading positions in the global sunflower oil market, and 2024 was no exception. During this period, agricultural exports reached pre-war levels, bringing the country $24.5 billion, which is 59% of total exports.

Prices are rising, processing margins are falling

What’s happening on the market

The rise in oil seed prices has become a significant challenge for the agricultural sector, but at the same time, the decline in processing margins threatens the stability of this industry.

The bulk sunflower oil market in Ukraine

The bulk sunflower oil market in Ukraine is one of the key ones for the country’s economy and agricultural sector.

The main aspects of this market:

1. Ukraine is a leader in world trade: In the 2023/24 marketing year, Ukraine’s share in world trade in sunflower oil is 41%, which makes it the leading exporter of this product. Russia takes second place with a share of 30%[3].

What about sunflower prices?

Farmers are in no hurry to sell large volumes of oil crops, waiting for even higher prices. Refineries are already willing to pay for sunflower with a base oil content of 46% – $520-$525 excluding VAT with delivery, depending on tonnage. This is at least $10 more than last week’s price. Sunflower oil in the ports of Odesa increased by about $40 during the week compared to last week’s prices.

Oil refineries are running out of stocks: sunflower prices are approaching record levels

The shortage of sunflower on the Ukrainian market continues to stimulate price growth. The decrease in the production of this oil crop compared to last year leads to a lack of raw materials for Ukrainian factories. According to analysts, sunflower prices have already exceeded UAH 23,000/t, and according to forecasts, it may reach UAH 24,000–24,500/t by the end of October. This is due to the high demand for sunflower oil with a shortage of raw materials.