Portugal at a lack of sunflower oil

Portugal imported 38.7 million euros worth of refined sunflower refined oil in 2020, of which 56% was Ukraine and Moldova origin. The Russia-Ukraine war disrupted exports of the product, and the closures of the Ports of Odesa and Mariupol, in the Black Sea, blocked trade to Europe.

In Portugal, since March 2022, big supermarkets have limited the number of sunflower oil packages bought by each consumer to avoid a lack of stock. Now, Portuguese companies are facing even more difficulties in finding the product. Sunflower oil is essential for food consumption, including in the production of sauces, like mayonnaise and spreadable condiments, bakery and non-food industries, like the cosmetics sector. Prices hiked from EUR 1.5/liter in 2021, to almost EUR 2.8/liter in 2022 and the increase in prices is not expected to stop soon.