Russian crushers increase purchases of oilseeds and sunseed by 30%

Russian crushers, despite talks of a crisis in the industry, unexpectedly ramped up their purchases of oilseeds and sunflower seeds by 30% in March 2025 compared to the previous month. This is evidenced by data reported by Andrey Sizov, head of the SovEcon analytical center, in his Telegram channel. Previously, experts and market participants repeatedly pointed to the challenges faced by crushers, including plant shutdowns and raw material shortages.

Typically, March is marked by a decline in purchasing activity by crushers, but this year’s dynamics proved atypical. Instead of the expected downturn, crushers sharply increased the volume of raw materials procured, which came as a surprise against the backdrop of long-standing trends. Sizov notes that rumors of a “deep crisis” in the industry appear to have been exaggerated, with some market players managing to turn the situation to their advantage.

“Someone outlasted someone else,” Sizov comments wryly, hinting at the standoff between farmers holding onto sunflower seeds and crushers who, it seems, found a way out of the deadlock. The surge in purchases may signal stabilization in the industry, but further developments will depend on raw material prices and the broader economic situation.

Tags: Russia, sunflower oil, sunseed