Ukrainian Sunflower Seed Prices Retreat on Weak Oil Market, Ample Stocks
Key Takeaways
- Ukrainian sunflower seed prices fell by UAH 300–500/ton last week after a short-lived increase.
- Processing plants quoted sunflower seeds at UAH 27,500–28,600/ton CPT, with premiums for oil content above 50–51%.
- The price reduction reflects weaker sunflower oil export values and comfortable raw material stocks at crushing plants.
Market Update
Ukraine's sunflower seed market reversed direction last week as major processing companies reduced purchase prices by UAH 300–500 per ton. This adjustment followed a brief period of price strengthening and was driven primarily by weakness in the sunflower oil export market, alongside sufficient raw material inventories at crushing facilities.
Processing plants across the country reported CPT prices ranging from UAH 27,500 to UAH 28,600 per ton. Actual bids varied depending on regional competition, immediate feedstock needs, and seed quality characteristics, particularly oil content. Crushers continued to offer price premiums for higher-quality sunflower seeds with oil content at or above 50–51%, reflecting their focus on maximizing oil extraction efficiency.
| Parameter | Price / Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sunflower seed purchase price (CPT, Ukraine) | UAH 27,500–28,600/ton | Varies by region, demand, and oil content |
| Weekly price change | -UAH 300–500/ton | Reversal after brief uptick |
| Oil content premium threshold | ≥ 50–51% | Quality premiums for higher extraction rates |
Analysis
Bearish. The recent price decline indicates reduced urgency among Ukrainian processors to secure additional sunflower seed volumes, underscoring comfortable inventory levels at crushing plants. With sunflower oil export prices under pressure, crushers have limited margin room to sustain previously higher seed purchase prices.
Farmers holding unsold stocks may face ongoing downward pressure if export oil markets remain soft. However, differentiated pricing based on oil content offers some support for high-quality lots, as crushers remain willing to pay premiums for seeds with oil content of 50–51% or higher to improve processing yields.
Source: Market Data
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