Turkey sharply increases sunflower seed imports to record levels

In the first quarter of 2025, Turkey increased its imports of sunflower seeds to a record 396 thousand tons, which is 4.3 times higher than the figure for the same period in 2024 (92 thousand tons). The increase in imports is due to a shortage of its own stocks due to last year’s crop failure. The main suppliers were Romania, which exported 201 thousand tons (versus 21 thousand tons in 2024), and Moldova – 168 thousand tons (versus 28 thousand tons), reports the German agency Oil World.

Imports of sunflower oil to Turkey during this period amounted to 308 thousand tons, of which 211 thousand tons fell to Russia, and Ukraine supplied 54 thousand tons. At the same time, imports of sunflower meal increased significantly – to 367 thousand tons, of which 356 thousand tons tons Turkey purchased from Russia. This indicates the country’s dependence on external supplies to meet the needs of the processing industry.

Despite the increase in imports, Turkey maintained high volumes of sunflower oil exports – 186 thousand tons in the first quarter of 2025, which corresponds to the level of last year. The main sales markets were Ethiopia, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and EU countries.

Tags: Turkey, sunseed, imports