Russia exported 4.2 million metric tons of sunflower oil during the 2025/26 marketing year, compared with 4.036 million metric tons from Ukraine, Latifundist reported on Sept. 14, citing USDA data.
In the previous 2024/25 season, Ukraine exported 4.744 million metric tons, ahead of Russia’s 4.2 million metric tons.
Ukraine had remained the world’s largest sunflower oil exporter for 20 consecutive marketing years, from 2005/06 through 2024/25.
USDA expects exports from both countries to rise further in the 2026/27 marketing year.
Russia is forecast to export 5.1 million metric tons of sunflower oil, while Ukraine is expected to ship 5 million metric tons.
USDA estimated Russia’s sunflower oil production at 6.897 million metric tons in 2025/26, compared with 4.515 million metric tons in Ukraine.
For 2026/27, Russian production is forecast to rise to 7.806 million metric tons, while Ukrainian output is projected at 5.418 million metric tons.
Ukraine’s export position has been hit by disruptions to maritime logistics caused by Russian attacks.
With seaborne exports constrained, Ukraine has recently been shipping around 300,000 metric tons of sunflower oil per month, about half its previous level.
Logistical problems have also become a key factor pushing down domestic sunflower seed prices.
India, the world’s largest buyer of sunflower oil, has meanwhile been seeking alternative supplies as disruptions in the Black Sea region delay imports from Ukraine and Russia.
Traders have reported delays of up to 60 days for shipments from the two leading producers.
With prices rising and India’s domestic crop also under pressure from weak monsoon rains, buyers have increasingly turned to South American suppliers and alternative vegetable oils, including palm and soybean oil.