Ukraine is the main supplier of Sunflower seeds, Sunflower oil for the European market, writes Lanțul Alimentar.
Between July 1, 2022 and May 28, 2023, the European Union imported 1.808.056 tons of sunflower seeds from Ukraine, compared to 198.071 tons in the same period last year.
Moldova lost first place
In percentage terms, imports from Ukraine account for 84,4% of total imports from third countries, while in the previous marketing year this share was 27,9%, according to Lanțul Alimentar.
The increase in shipments from Ukraine by about a factor of 9 has meant that Moldova has lost its leading position after having a 347.540% market share last year with a volume of 49 tons. For example, from July 1, 2022 to May 28, 2023, the Republic of Moldova ranks second with a volume of 194.219 tons. Argentina is next - 35.638 tons versus 36.715 tons; China - 35.400 tons versus 35.455 tons and Turkey - 26.782 tons versus 32.248 tons.
The largest importers of sunflower seeds from outside the EU are: Bulgaria - 82.077 tons; Romania - 487.146 tons and Hungary - 329.602 tons. The total volume purchased by the EU in the period from July 1, 2022 to May 28, 2023 is 2.141.475 tons, 202% more than in the same period of the previous marketing year (709.406 tons).
Less sunflower oil
The greatest amount of Sunflower oil comes from Ukraine, but this year it is lower than in the previous marketing year: 1.344.602 tons (88,7% of the market) against 1.474.004 tons (82,7%) last year. This fact shows that even before the start of the war on February 24, 2022, Ukraine was a major supplier of sunflower oil to the European market. The drought has severely affected the sunflower harvest in Moldova.
Imports from Moldova roughly halved at 60.563 tons versus 141.063 tons, those from Serbia at 61.477 tons versus 71.808 tons. Lanțul Alimentar notes that Serbia has overtaken Moldova, although deliveries have decreased compared to the previous marketing year. The largest European importer of Sunflower oil is Poland with 357.234 tons, followed by Spain with 266.355 tons and Bulgaria with 205.356 tons. Romania imported 52.014 tons, ranking eighth. The European Union imported a total of 1.515.386 tons of sunflower oil, 15% less than in the same period of the previous trading year (1.782.047 tons).
Moldova increased the export of sunflower flour by 6 times
Ukraine also ranks first in the “sunflower meal” category (for animal feed), after sales on the European market increased from 723.549 tons (32,8%) to 1.096.280 tons (44,7%). This put Ukraine ahead of Russia, which delivered 846.154 tons (38,3%) to the European market in the past financial year. Russia is now second with 568.173 tons (23%). Argentina is in third place with 533.361 tons (21,7%), slightly more than in the previous year: 532.282 tons (24,1%). In fourth place is the Republic of Moldova, which increased its shipments about six-fold from 19.049 tons (0,9%) to 108.741 tons (4,4%). Serbia also increased its sales from 66.630 tons (3%) to 76.240 tons (3,1%).
Poland is the largest importer of sunflower meal (558.155 tons), followed by the Netherlands (393.494 tons) and Latvia (323.627 tons), while Romania imported 43.977 tons from outside the EU. From July 1, 2022 to May 28, 2023, the European Union imported 2.454.604 tons of sunflower meal, an increase of 11% compared to the same period last year (2.206.821 tons).
Source: Ukragroconsult (Ukraine)