Ukrainian new-crop sunflower prices remain under pressure as the shutdown of oil extraction plants in southern Ukraine and limited agricultural exports through Black Sea ports reduce processor demand. The impact is amplified by a higher production forecast, with some seed potentially redirected to export markets, as occurred in the 2022/23 marketing year.
Processors are continuing to crush rapeseed, while only some are expected to switch to sunflower in September. New-crop purchase prices are reported at UAH 19,000–21,000/t including VAT, equivalent to $370–390/t excluding VAT. Exporters face restricted outlets for sunflower oil and meal, with processing programs aligned to western-border and Romanian-port capacity.
Sea freight via Constanta has risen to $150–200/t. Ukrainian sunflower oil demand prices for delivery to Danube ports stand at $1,310–1,320/t, despite Indian CIF Mumbai indications of $1,485–1,490/t. Sunflower exports to Bulgaria are priced at $550–560/t, but road logistics cost $120–150/t. Romania and Bulgaria are also expecting strong crops, limiting demand for Ukrainian seed. The European Commission forecasts 2026 EU sunflower production at 9.5 million tonnes, up 9% year on year.