Kazakhstan sees potential in supplying sunflower oil to China

In 2024, China imported 1 mln 207 thsd tonnes of sunflower oil. The first place in terms of supplies was taken by Russia with the volume of supplies of 698.5 thsd tonnes, the second – by Ukraine – 245.6 thsd tonnes. Kazakhstan is in the bottom three with 115.3 thsd tonnes. However, the potential of supplying oil and oilseeds of all kinds to China is much greater, ElDala reports, citing Fang Gang, deputy chairman of the China Sunflower Oil Association.

The total domestic consumption of sunflower oil in China in 2024 amounted to 1 mln 400 thsd tonnes, of which the country’s own production covered only 105 thsd tonnes. China exported another 7 thsd tonnes from other countries. Thus, the deficit on the market amounted to 95 thsd tonnes, which was covered by the previous year’s stocks, the expert said.

The structure of oil consumption in the country is as follows:

• Soybean oil – 28%.
• Rapeseed oil – 27%.
• Palm oil – 13%.
• Peanut oil – 9%.
• Corn oil – 8%.
• Sunflower oil – 5%.

The annual growth of vegetable oil consumption in China in 2024 amounted to 0.8%. It is also reported that in 2025, China plans to launch the exchange futures for sunflower oil to manage risks in the market.

China also imports oilseeds for production in large volumes. Thus, in 2024, China purchased 693 thsd tonnes of flax, of which 18% (123 thsd tonnes) came from Kazakhstan. Sunflower was purchased in the amount of 149 thsd tonnes.

Tags: sunflower oil, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, China