Sunflower oil prices in Bulgaria soar due to poor sunflower seed harvest

Sunflower oil prices in Bulgaria have skyrocketed, with experts predicting further increases this autumn due to a drastically reduced sunflower seed harvest. According to bourgas.ru, prolonged drought and temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius have destroyed crops, resulting in a harvest expected to be half of last year’s. Farmers report that extreme weather has severely disrupted sunflower development, affecting both the quality and quantity of sunflower oil production.

Farmer Kalin Yovchev, who cultivates sunflowers on 1,000 acres in the Rakovski region, explained that drought and three heatwaves in June, during the flowering period, caused half of his crops to wither. “Everything wilted, dried up, and perished. Instead of photosynthesizing, sunflowers shed leaves, producing small, low-quality seeds,” he said. A hailstorm two weeks ago further damaged crops, reducing expected yields from 350 kg/ha to just 100 kg/ha.

Due to low yields, farmers are facing significant losses. Yovchev estimates losses of 100–120 leva per decare at an average price of 0.70 leva per kilogram of sunflower seeds, insufficient to cover costs for fertilizers and crop protection. The anticipated shortage of sunflower seeds is driving up oil prices, already noticeable in retail. In stores like Zhaneta Georgieva’s, 20–30 bottles of sunflower oil are sold daily, with prices rising from 3 to 4 leva per liter compared to last year.

Consumers hope that sunflower seed imports from Ukraine will offset the domestic shortage and stabilize prices. However, farmers whose crops were devastated by drought are not counting on government compensation and instead emphasize the need for support in developing irrigation systems. “Sunflowers, wheat, everything can be irrigated, but Bulgaria lacks the water for it,” Yovchev noted, highlighting the systemic challenge of climate change for agriculture.

Experts warn that without addressing water supply and climate challenges, Bulgaria may face a prolonged sunflower oil shortage, further pressuring prices and the agricultural sector. Consumers, meanwhile, fear additional price hikes that could strain their budgets.

Tags: Ukraine, sunflower oil, Bulgaria, prices, drought, sunseed