Russia faces sunseed surplus amid processing and export constraints

Russia’s sunflower seed production could increase by 18.1% in 2026 to 20.7 mln t, according to ProZerno. The sharp increase in production comes amid limited processing and export opportunities, which are already putting significant pressure on the domestic market.

According to Rosstat, the area planted with oilseeds increased to 22.5 mln ha in 2026 from 21.1 mln ha a year earlier. Sunflower seed area alone expanded to 12.2 mln ha, compared with 11.08 mln ha in 2025.

ProZerno estimates that Russian plants will be able to process no more than 16 mln t of sunflower seed despite the larger crop. As a result, carryover stocks could exceed 5 mln t, leaving a substantial surplus of sunflower seed on the domestic market.

Options for exporting the surplus are also limited. Russian sunflower seed exports are constrained by a 50% export duty, making it difficult to offset the larger crop through increased shipments to foreign markets.

Against this backdrop, sunflower seed prices have fallen sharply. According to the ProZerno index, prices declined from RUB 46.05 thsd/t (around $570/t) at the end of July to RUB 28.61 thsd/t (around $334/t) at the end of August and further to RUB 26.59 thsd/t (around $307/t) by September 4. Thus, sunflower seed prices fell by more than 40% in less than a month and a half.

Tags: Russia, prices, sunseed