Bulgaria exports domestic sunflower seed while importing Argentine supplies for processing

Bulgaria is reporting high, and in some regions record, sunflower yields this year. The strongest results have been recorded in Dobrudzha and around Polski Trambesh, but higher yields have done little to improve farmers’ margins because of rising fertilizer, fuel, service and labor costs.

Sunflower seed purchase prices remain close to last year’s levels, while farmers’ production costs have increased significantly. Market participants estimate that prices of around €500–550/t would be needed to improve profitability, provided yields remain strong.

At the same time, retail sunflower oil prices have increased. According to Bulgaria’s State Commission on Commodity Exchanges and Markets, the price reached €1.76/litre, up €0.10 from a year earlier.

Producers also point to the structure of trade as a problem. Part of Bulgaria’s sunflower seed crop is exported, while domestic processors later have to purchase raw material from other countries.

Industry representatives said that in early 2026 Argentine sunflower seed was imported into Bulgaria while Bulgarian seed was exported in roughly comparable volumes. This has intensified debate over the utilization of domestic crushing capacity and the efficiency of existing trade flows.

Tags: Bulgaria, sunflower seed, sunseed, imports, Argentina