Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the domestic market volume for sunflower, safflower, and cottonseed oils in Eastern Europe fluctuated, starting at 3.1 million tons. It dipped to 2.9 million tons in 2019, even as a 21% larger sunflower seed harvest boosted overall oil production capacity, then recovered to 3.2 million tons in 2020.

A period of strong expansion began in 2021, with the market volume reaching 3.6 million tons. The geopolitical shock of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 severely impacted global supply chains, contributing to a sharp rise in domestic consumption to 5.3 million tons. Growth continued in 2023, reaching 6.4 million tons, driven by the launch of a new vegetable oil production plant in Rostov Oblast and a 13.2% increase in Russia's output of unrefined sunflower oil.

In 2024, production capacity continued to expand, with Russia's sunflower oil output reported at 10.74 million tons and Ukraine achieving record export volumes exceeding 5.2 million tons in the first half of the year. The Eurasian Economic Commission introduced new technical regulations for sunflower oil in primary packaging, standardizing market requirements.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

In Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 14 140 thousand tons, marking a 6.5% rise from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 20.3%, which translates to an average annual increase of 6.3%. The lowest production level was in 2018, at 11 697 thousand tons. That year also saw the largest decline, with a drop of 0.5%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase, at 13.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), the value of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions production has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 11 409 million US dollars, showing a solid gain of 17.0% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 24.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018, at 9 106 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 0.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 11 392 thousand tons, up 8.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 24.1%, averaging an annual increase of 7.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2018, at 8 922 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 2.8%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 17.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, exports in kind of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were not heavily concentrated. The top three destinations—India (23.2% of exports), China (11.6%), and the Netherlands (6.8%)—together accounted for only 41.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign supplies of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 9 192 million US dollars, reflecting a rise of 19.4% from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 28.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.6%. The lowest value was in 2018, at 6 946 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) relied on a wide range of partner countries. The top three—India (21.8% of exports), China (11.2%), and the Netherlands (6.7%)—together took just 39.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend over this period. Imports bottomed in 2019 at 122 thousand tons and peaked in 2020 at 408 thousand tons, representing a 3.4-fold difference. In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) imported a total of 408 thousand tons, marking a sharp increase of 235.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 58.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions were imported into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) from many countries. Even the largest sources—Serbia, Germany, and the Netherlands—together represented only 6.7% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Import volumes of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume came to 580 million US dollars, reflecting a dramatic increase of 35.5% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 41.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.2%. The lowest value was in 2018, at 376 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 8.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017–2020, imports in value terms of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were spread relatively evenly. The top three countries—Serbia (3.2% of imports), Germany (2.6%), and the Netherlands (2.5%)—jointly accounted for only 8.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020