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

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.

Farmers, encouraged by favorable weather and the completion of spring sowing, have ramped up sales without waiting for the desired UAH 30,000/t, enabling processors to build up stocks ahead of the rapeseed processing season.

Globally, the supply of Ukrainian sunflower oil is increasing, despite weak importer demand and significant raw material stocks. Export prices for sunflower oil in Ukraine have fallen by USD 10/t to USD 1,110–1,115/t (Black Sea ports) and USD 1,120–1,150/t (DAP Germany and North Macedonia), due to higher supplies of rapeseed and soybean oils in the EU and declining crude oil prices.

Export prices for sunflower meal at Black Sea ports have also dropped by USD 5/t over the week, to USD 215–220/t, while CIF France May deliveries are at USD 248–250/t. Falling feed wheat and corn prices are adding pressure, likely impacting sunflower prices in June.

Analysts predict that sunflower acreage in key producing countries may rise by 10–15% in early June due to replanting of winter crops lost, which could add further pressure to forward prices for sunflower oil.

Thus, although processors are currently well-supplied with raw materials, the sunflower market remains under the influence of global factors that may affect price dynamics in the coming months.