Kernel has sold 5.5 million liters of sunflower oil under its own brand in the Netherlands

Kernel is developing its own sunflower oil brand in Europe, launched in 2024 in partnership with Dutch food distributor Fangoo&Zon Impex. In the Netherlands, the Bestolie&Kernel brand has already sold 5.5 million liters of product.

This was reported by the company’s press service.

During this period, Kernel has not only increased sales but also expanded its product range, adding new packaging formats and frying oil for the HoReCa segment.

The launch of the Bestolie&Kernel brand is a logical step. Previously, Kernel produced oil for Fangoo&Zon Impex under a private label model (under the distributor’s brand). The updated partnership model enabled a full value chain to be built — from Ukrainian fields to European consumers. Kernel is responsible for production and quality control at all stages — from seeds to finished oil, confirmed by ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 certifications. Fangoo&Zon Impex, in turn, provides distribution in the local market.

“The European market is highly competitive and ‘closed’ to new brands. It is dominated by large multinational FMCG companies and supermarket private labels. Getting onto the shelf is difficult, and staying there is even harder. That is why it is important for us that Bestolie&Kernel has already been present on the market for one and a half years and has gained consumer trust,” said Serhii Neroishchyn, Director of Marketing and Sales of Packaged Products at Kernel.

The development of own brands in Europe is part of a broader trend in the Ukrainian agricultural sector — shifting from raw material exports to higher value-added finished products. This not only increases foreign currency earnings but also helps build recognition of Ukrainian brands in international markets.

Background: Kernel is a Ukrainian sunflower oil producer with around a 10% share of global exports. The company sells refined sunflower oil in Ukraine under the brands “Stozhar” and “Shchedryi Dar”, and exports under its own Kernel brand (present in 12 European countries as well as Jordan, Lebanon, Bangladesh, and Guinea), Le Blanc and Premi (Egypt, Middle East and South Asia), as well as under partners’ private labels.

Fangoo&Zon Impex is a Dutch international wholesale and distribution company engaged in importing and selling food and FMCG goods in the Benelux region. The company is based in the Netherlands.