Sunflower seed purchase prices in Ukraine continue to decline

Sunflower seed purchase prices in Ukraine fell by another UAH 500/t over the week to UAH 17.5–19 thsd/t including VAT, or around $345–370/t excluding VAT, delivered to the plant. The market remains under pressure from weaker vegetable oil prices and rising global sunflower seed supply.

Sunflower oil bid prices in Ukraine declined by $10/t over the week to $1,090–1,100/t delivered to Danube ports. At the same time, logistics to the EU remain expensive, with road transport costs for sunflower oil reaching around $160–200/t, adding further pressure on raw material prices.

The highest sunflower seed prices are currently offered by crushers located near Ukraine’s western border, which have faster and cheaper access to European markets. Prices in southern and eastern regions remain lower due to more complicated logistics and limited crushing and export opportunities.

As of September 22, Ukraine had harvested 1.5 mln tons of sunflower seed from 756 thsd ha, or 14.5% of the planted area, with an average yield of 1.98 t/ha. A year earlier, 1.37 mln ha, or 26.7% of the area, had been harvested at a yield of 1.76 t/ha. Harvesting is therefore progressing more slowly this year, although yields are higher.

Export bid prices for sunflower seed delivered to Bulgaria remain at $550–560/t, although shipments are constrained by licensing requirements and minimum export prices. Further developments in the domestic market will depend on the pace of harvesting, crusher operations and export logistics.

Tags: Ukraine, prices, sunseed, sunflower seeds