Ukraine can increase sunflower oil exports by a quarter, — USDA
15.09.2026 - 17:21
The growth is due to the recovery of the sunflower crop to 13 million tons after a drop to 10.7 million tons in the previous season.
Sunflower oil exports from Ukraine in the 2026/27 marketing year may increase to 5 million tons against 4.036 million tons in the previous season. This is the forecast of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The basis for the growth is the recovery of the crop. According to the agency, sunflower seed production in Ukraine will return to the level of 2024/25 MY and will amount to 13 million tons after a drop to 10.7 million tons a season earlier. Sunflower oil production will increase to 5.418 million tons against 4.515 million tons.
Sunflower meal exports, according to the USDA forecast, will increase to 3.3 million tons from 2.861 million tons in 2025/26 MY.
At the same time, Russia this season may again overtake Ukraine in terms of sunflower oil exports — 5.1 million tons versus 4.2 million tons in the previous MY.
On a global scale, the USDA predicts an increase in sunflower oil and seed exports in terms of oil equivalent by 15% — precisely due to an increase in the harvest and exports from Ukraine and Russia.
The agency increased the forecast for oilseed exports from Ukraine by 0.1 million tons — to 4.95 million tons versus 4.12 million tons in the 2025/26 MY. However, this is still significantly less than 7.39 million tons in the 2024/25 MY.
The USDA maintained the estimate for oilseed processing at oil extraction plants at 16.9 million tons versus 14.8 million tons last season.
Meanwhile, as USM reported, the Danube route has taken away almost all rail transport of grain to the ports.
