1. Weekly News

Argentina

Sunflower Sparks Optimism Among Chaco Farmers

With the setbacks from a challenging soybean season, sunflower is emerging as a key driver of renewed optimism in Argentina’s Chaco region. Favorable soil moisture—reaching depths of up to 1.5 meters (m) and timely rains have created ideal conditions for planting. Producers show enthusiasm, with projections of around 400,000 hectares (ha) of sunflower to be sown. Known for its resilience and profitability, sunflower is expected to dominate the upcoming agricultural season, offering a much-needed turnaround for farmers. As attention shifts to the second half of the year, the sunflower stands out as a symbol of recovery and hope across the region.

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Sets Minimum Import Price on Sunflower Oil to Prevent VAT Evasion

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade and Integration has established a minimum import price for sunflower oil at USD 1.33 per kilogram (KZT 594.04/kg), effective from July 1 to September 30, 2025, to combat value-added tax (VAT) evasion through artificially low import declarations. This minimum price applies only for calculating import VAT and does not impact retail or wholesale prices. The measure addresses previous cases where sunflower oil was imported at under USD 0.61/liter (KZT 275/L), significantly below the average market price of USD 1.83/L (KZT 814/L). The ministry updates the list of regulated products quarterly to ensure fair taxation and market stability.

Russia

Russia’s Sunflower Oil Exports to Turkey Surge in Early 2025

In the first five months of 2025, Russia exported approximately 505,000 tons of sunflower oil to Turkey, marking a 44% increase compared to the same period last year. The export value more than doubled, exceeding USD 570 million. This volume surpasses the 2021 annual record when about 913,000 tons were supplied to Turkey. Additionally, demand for Russian dried peas is rising, with China emerging as a key buyer. Over the same five months, exports of dried peas to China exceeded 330,000 tons, valued at around USD 110 million, representing a 24% increase in volume and 32% growth in value year-on-year (YoY).

Russia Donates 469.2 Tons of Sunflower Oil to Cuba via UN World Food Program

A shipment of 469.2 tons of sunflower oil was officially handed over by Russia to Cuba at Havana’s railway warehouse as part of cooperation between the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations and the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). The Russian Ambassador emphasized the aid’s importance for vulnerable groups in Cuba, including children and the elderly, especially amid the intensified United States (US) trade blockade. This donation follows a 650-ton shipment in 2023, with two additional shipments of about 187 tons each planned this year. A WFP representative in Cuba described the support as “key” to meeting urgent food needs, while Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Trade thanked Russia for its solidarity amid the country’s economic challenges and recent hurricane impacts. The aid will target those hardest hit by last year’s hurricanes and other vulnerable populations.

Ukraine

Ukraine’s Sunflower Oil Export Revenue Declines Amid Overall Agricultural Export Shifts

Ukraine’s revenue from sunflower oil exports decreased to USD 4.65 billion in the first 11 months of the 2024/25 season, down from USD 4.77 billion the previous season, despite a slight overall rise in agricultural export earnings. This decline comes alongside reduced export volumes of other key crops like wheat and corn. The drop in sunflower oil revenue reflects challenges in maintaining export performance amid shifting market conditions and weather impacts affecting crop yields.

Downy Mildew Threatens Sunflower Yields in Ukraine

Capable of wiping out up to 50% of crops, downy mildew (Plasmopara helianthi) is already appearing in sunflower fields and poses a serious threat. The disease is spreading most aggressively in Ukraine’s Forest-Steppe and Steppe zones. It affects plants throughout the growing season, especially in the 2 to 6 leaf stage, leading to weak stems, small chlorotic leaves, and often plant death or empty seed heads. In later stages, infected plants show stunted growth and poor seed formation. Experts warn that early detection and intervention are critical to avoid severe losses.

Sunflower Processing Stands Out as the Most Profitable Among Oil Crops in Ukraine

Sunflower is currently the most economically attractive oil crop for processing in Ukraine, according to the Chief Researcher at the National Scientific Center “Institute of Agrarian Economics.” The Chief Researcher highlights its high profitability due to a nearly 40% oil yield from seeds, strong domestic demand, stable exports, low risk, and favorable regulations such as the export ban on raw sunflower seeds and incentives for bottled oil exports. In contrast, soybean and rapeseed processing is more complex and less profitable due to technological challenges, quality variability, and storage issues. With no export restrictions on their seeds and a weaker domestic market, soy and rapeseed are more often exported raw.

2. Weekly Pricing

Weekly Sunflower Oil Pricing Top Producers (USD/kg)

Yearly Change in Sunflower Oil Pricing Top Producers (W25 2024 to W25 2025) 

Russia

In W25, Russia’s FOB sunflower oil price rose to USD 1.13/kg, up 2.73% week-on-week (WoW), 1.80% month-on-month (MoM), and 18.95% YoY. The price increase is driven by strong export demand, especially from Turkey, which imported over 500,000 tons in the first five months of 2025, combined with lingering effects of earlier seed shortages and weather disruptions. Although sowing progress has reached 91% with expanded acreage, immediate supply remains tight. Additionally, April’s cut in export duties was offset by a higher reference price, keeping pricing elevated amid firm structural and external demand pressures.

Ukraine

In W25 2025, Ukraine’s FOB sunflower oil price held steady at USD 1.12/kg, unchanged WoW, but showing a slight 0.88% decline MoM and a 17.89% increase YoY. The weekly price stability reflects a temporary market balance, largely due to early-season farmer sales that led to short-term oversupply, while processing demand remained subdued following a poor harvest and low refining margins. Ongoing moderate bearish pressure stems from delayed sowing (caused by cold, dry weather), high domestic inventories, and shifting processor focus toward rapeseed. Despite these factors, the strong YoY increase points to structural supply tightness and a recovery from last year’s depressed prices, even as Ukraine faces growing export competition from Russia and Argentina, particularly in Asian and EU markets.

Argentina

In W25, Argentina’s FOB sunflower oil price rose to USD 1.09/kg, increasing 1.87% WoW, 12.37% MoM, and 12.37% YoY. The upward trend is primarily driven by reduced processing capacity following a major crusher shutdown, which limited refined oil output and tightened supply. Despite subdued demand amid global economic uncertainty, prices remain elevated due to persistent structural pressures, including high logistics and input costs and the residual impact of earlier weather-related disruptions. Additionally, sunflower continues to offer better profitability than soybeans, benefiting from lower export taxes and stronger margins, which supports price resilience even in the face of fluctuating demand.

3. Actionable Recommendations 

Strengthen Supply Chain Diversification Amid Regional Shocks

With Ukraine facing both crop disease (downy mildew) and export revenue decline, while Argentina grapples with reduced crushing capacity and Russia dominates exports to Turkey, buyers should diversify sourcing across multiple origins to mitigate regional risks. Importers should particularly monitor Ukraine’s yield risks and Argentina’s refining constraints, while leveraging Russia's current export momentum—especially to Turkey—as a short- to mid-term opportunity.

Invest in Processing and Bottling in Favorable Policy Environments

Ukraine offers strong margins in processed sunflower oil due to its high oil yield (nearly 40%), domestic demand, and favorable policies such as a raw seed export ban. Investors and processors should expand or upgrade bottling and refining operations in Ukraine, while exploring high-quality kernel processing opportunities in regions like Bulgaria and Argentina where profitability is rising for value-added formats.

Sources: Tridge, Agro Business, Agro Meat, Agro Portal, Kotra, Kvedomosti, Oil World RU