Russia seeks to oust Ukraine from the Indian sunflower oil market

Russia is looking to increase its sunflower oil exports to India in the 2025/26 season and replace Ukrainian supplies, the state agency for agricultural exports said on Friday, Reuters reported.

The agency said in a statement that Russia could strengthen its position in sunflower oil exports to the Indian market as Ukrainian suppliers shift from Asia to Europe.

According to Dmitry Rylko, head of consulting company IKAR, Russia plans to export a record 5 million tons of sunflower oil in the 2025/26 season. India is the largest buyer of Russian sunflower oil, accounting for a third of total exports.

Russia is planning to harvest a record sunseed crop this year as more farmers switch from wheat, which is considered less profitable.

India imports soybean and sunflower oil from Argentina, Brazil, Russia and Ukraine.

“India is the world’s largest importer of edible oils and is open to increasing imports of sunflower oil from Russia,” an Indian government source told Reuters, adding that purchases depend on private traders.

Russia also wants to increase exports of grains and pulses to India.

Tags: Ukraine, Russia, sunflower oil, India