Attacks on ports hit farmers: sunflower prices plummet in Ukraine
30 December 16:57
The purchase price of Ukrainian sunflower declined after a number of oil extraction plants in Odesa region, which suffered from Russian attacks, were shut down, as well as due to a drop in the activity of processors.
This was reported bythe Electronic Grain Exchange, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
What happened in the south
The shelling of the port infrastructure in Odesa region damaged two oil extraction plants in the ports of Pivdennyi and Chornomorsk. As a result, the companies stopped working, and the demand for raw materials from processors dropped sharply.
How prices have changed
Over the past week, the purchase price of sunflower in Ukraine fell by another UAH 800-1000 per tonne to UAH 26-27.5 thousand per tonne delivered to the plant.
In terms of USD 540-570 per ton, excluding VAT (at 50% oil content).
For comparison, at the end of 2024, prices dropped to 23.8-25 thousand UAH/t amid cheaper sunflower oil prices to 1050-1070 USD/t with delivery to ports.
Impact on the global market
The suspension of marine exports of sunflower oil from Ukraine also affected the global market.
In particular:
- demand prices in India increased;
- supply prices for Russian sunflower oil for delivery in January increased.
At the same time, analysts warn that further price increases are unlikely due to increased supplies of cheaper palm and soybean oil, which put pressure on the market.
According to official data, since the beginning of 2025, Russia has carried out 90 combined strikes on Ukraine’s port infrastructure, twice as many as in the same period last year. This increases the risks to agricultural exports and the income of Ukrainian farmers.
