Turkey’s sunflower oil exports rise 20.1% to nearly $664 million in first half

Export value grows faster than volume

Turkey’s sunflower oil exports reached 402,895 tonnes in the January-June period, generating revenue of $663.938 million, according to Turkish Exporters Assembly data reported by CNN Türk. Compared with the same period a year earlier, shipment volume increased 8%, while export value rose 20.1%.

The gap between value and volume growth indicates that average export revenue per tonne was higher than in the corresponding period last year. The figures confirm sunflower oil’s continuing importance to Turkey’s processed food exports at a time when uncertainty persists around production and supply in the Black Sea region.

Djibouti leads destination markets

Djibouti was Turkey’s largest sunflower oil export market during the first six months. Shipments to the country increased 26.6% year on year to $219.732 million. That represented roughly one-third of Turkey’s total reported export revenue from the product during the period.

Sudan ranked second, with export value rising 35.6% to $75.879 million. Libya followed in third place after purchases increased 26% to $55.801 million. The three markets together accounted for $351.412 million, underlining the importance of African destinations to Turkish refiners, packers and traders.

Turkey’s southeastern Anatolia region contributed $302.592 million of sunflower oil exports in the first half. The region’s sales increased 23.1% from the same period last year. Its share reflects the role of the country’s southeastern processing and trading base, including Gaziantep, in supplying nearby and African markets.

Black Sea risks remain central

Nihat Uysallı, chairman of the Turkish Exporters Assembly’s sector board for cereals, pulses, oilseeds and products, said uncertainty caused by the Russia-Ukraine war continued in the Black Sea basin, a critical area for sunflower oil production. He also said tensions in the Middle East had led to delayed or slower orders in some sectors, although global demand for staple foods remained strong.

Uysallı said exports exceeding 400,000 tonnes demonstrated Turkey’s role in global food supply and that the country maintained a strong position in Middle Eastern and African markets. Mehmet Özyurt, a sunflower oil producer and chairman of the Nizip Chamber of Commerce, said the industry made an important contribution to Gaziantep’s exports and retained growth potential. For market participants, future performance will depend on demand in the leading African destinations as well as supply conditions and geopolitical risks around the Black Sea and Middle East.