Global Sunflower Market Summary

• Ukraine’s harvest reached 9.8 million tonnes by October 19, with 79% of the planned area threshed and average yields rising to 2.2 tonnes per hectare, nearly 20% above last year. However, damaged export terminals, diesel shortages and limited crushing capacity are increasing transport costs and pushing domestic seed prices lower. Continued bottlenecks could discourage future planting.
• Russia is also facing a large crop, estimated at 19.1 to 22.2 million tonnes, exceeding domestic processing capacity. Oversupply has driven prices below production costs, while a 50% export duty restricts raw seed sales beyond the Eurasian Economic Union. Sunflower meal exports offer some relief, but logistical constraints limit their potential.
• Argentina has harvested a record crop and is strengthening its position as a global supplier. With fewer logistical barriers and competitive pricing, it is gaining market share in sunflower oil exports to India, challenging Black Sea suppliers.
• With global sunflower oil inventories critically low, Argentina is well positioned to benefit from supply disruptions in Ukraine and Russia. India's purchasing decisions will depend largely on the price gap between Argentine supplies and Black Sea alternatives, while persistent losses in the Black Sea region could eventually reduce future acreage.