For the first time in two years, Ukrainian sunflower oil outsells Russian in India

In July 2025, the share of Ukrainian sunflower oil in India's imports exceeded the share of Russian supplies for the first time in two years. About writes The Electronic Grain Exchange of Ukraine with reference to the Indian Edible Oil Producers Association (SEA).

Out of the 200,000 tons of oil purchased by India in July, 39% (78,000 tons) came from Ukrainian products, while Russian products accounted for only 25% (49,000 tons).

At the beginning of the year, Ukraine's share fluctuated between 13% and 34% and was inferior to Russian volumes. In July, Ukraine's exports of sunflower oil to India increased by 57% compared to June.

Russian factories reduced production of sunflower oil due to low margins and higher export duties, which reduced the competitiveness of its products in the Indian market.

Since the beginning of the season (from September to July), Ukraine has exported 767,000 tons of oil to India, which is 55% more than in the same period last year. This is the highest level since 2022.

Demand for sunflower oil in India is growing due to a sharp rise in the price of palm oil. The price of the latter rose from $1,200 per ton in June to $1,220 in July and $1,230-1,240 in August.

At the same time, low prices for soybean oil stimulated additional purchases of this product.

• In 2024, Ukraine harvested only 10.2 million tons of sunflower as of the end of December due to an abnormal drought, the worst result since 2014. In 2023, the harvest amounted to 12.8 mln tons.
• Sunflower and sunflower oil prices in Ukraine exceeded the world's due to low reserves at the end of the 2024/25 marketing year.