Ukraine supplies most of EU’s sunflower-oil imports

According to the European Commission, Ukraine remains by far the most important supplier of sunflower oil to the EU-27.

At the same time, feedstock supply in Ukraine is below last year’s level. 

From July 1 to Feb. 1, the EU-27 imported nearly 1.04 million metric tons of sunflower oil, representing a decline from 1.28 million tons during the same period in the previous year.

Ukraine is by far the leading country of origin, delivering 0.95 million tons of sunflower oil to the EU so far this season.

According to research by Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (mbH), this translates to a market share of almost 92 percent.

The volume, however, is significantly below the previous year’s level of 1.2 million tons due to tighter domestic feedstock supply.

Ukraine’s sunflower-seed harvest is estimated to have fallen year on year, from 13 million tons in 2024 to 10.5 million tons in 2025.

This smaller crop has reduced processing volumes and limited the country’s export potential for sunflower oil.

In addition, Russia’s attacks on infrastructure and port facilities have put pressure on logistics.

Market reports indicate that export flows have recently stabilized.

Moldova and Serbia are the second- and third-most important suppliers of sunflower oil, accounting for market shares of 5 percent and just under 2 percent, respectively.

Moldova expanded deliveries year on year, whereas Serbia remained well below the previous year’s level.

With spring sowing approaching and the grain market under pressure, the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e. V. (UFOP) recommended that farms assess individually whether sunflower cultivation represents an economically viable option within diversified crop rotations.

“It is common knowledge that sunflowers are a robust crop, thriving even when water resources are scarce and requiring little fertilizer input,” the organization stated.