Sunseed prices in Ukraine rise due to delayed harvest

The Ukrainian sunflower seeds market is in a growth phase. Despite difficult weather conditions that slow down the harvest, the demand for sunflower seeds remains high. This was reported by the analytical department of the agricultural cooperative PUSK, established within the VAR.

“Sunseed harvesting is progressing slowly. Over the past week, the harvest has increased by less than 1 million tons, and the total volume is about 6.3 million tons — only half of the planned 11.5–12 million tons. Due to excess moisture, the quality of seeds deteriorates and the share of conditioned products is reduced. This stimulates the growth of prices on the market,” analysts note.

Currently, the average price for sunflower seeds with an oil content of 48% is within 27,100–27,500 UAH/t, and by the end of October it may increase to 27,500–28,000 UAH/t. “The supply is weak, since most producers who planned to sell have already sold their volumes, so factories are forced to actively purchase raw materials in advance. Competition for high-quality sunseed will only increase,” experts explain.

According to PUSK estimates, demand for sunflower seeds will remain high at least until the beginning of November, and the price range for the second half of autumn is forecasted to be within 29,000–30,500 UAH/t. At the same time, the sunflower oil market is showing similar trends.

“As of October 20, oil exports reached 146 thousand tons, which confirms the active dynamics of sales. Over the past week, quotes have increased by $35–50 per ton, both on the European and domestic markets. The growth is supported by the shortage of raw materials in the EU and active domestic demand in Ukraine, which strengthens the positions of Ukrainian exporters,” PUSK summarizes.

Tags: Ukraine, prices, sunseed