- Export Momentum: Kazakhstan’s refined sunflower oil exports surged 122% to 132,000 tons in January–October 2025, lifting the country to 8th place globally.
- Capacity Expansion: Four new refining projects launching in 2026 will add 370,000 tons of annual capacity, supporting a push into the global top 6 exporters.
- Value-Added Shift: High-value refined products now account for 25% of sunflower oil exports, up from 18% a year earlier, signaling deeper processing and higher margins.
- Regional Impact: Additional Kazakh volumes may tighten competition and pressure refined sunflower oil premiums in Central Asia and the Middle East.
Kazakhstan’s Sunflower Oil Export Performance
Kazakhstan has climbed to 8th place among global sunflower oil exporters, according to Yadykar Ibragimov, Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Oilseed Processors. This advance supports the presidential goal of raising agricultural processing to 70% of sector output and reflects a strategic pivot toward value-added oilseed products.
Refined sunflower oil exports rose 122% year-on-year in January–October 2025, reaching 132,000 tons. At the same time, the share of refined, higher-value products in Kazakhstan’s overall sunflower oil export basket increased to 25%, compared with 18% in the same period of 2024, underscoring a rapid move up the value chain.
Export Metrics and Value-Added Shift
| Indicator | Period | Value | Change vs. 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global export ranking (sunflower oil) | 2025 (YTD) | 8th | Improving |
| Refined sunflower oil export volume | Jan–Oct 2025 | 132,000 tons | +122% |
| Share of refined products in total exports | Jan–Oct 2025 | 25% | from 18% (+7 pp) |
| New refining capacity (planned) | From 2026 | +370,000 tons/year | New additions |
Four large refining projects scheduled to come online in 2026 will add a combined 370,000 tons of annual capacity. Industry officials expect this new capacity to help Kazakhstan target a top 6 position in global sunflower oil exports, with a particular focus on refined product flows into Central Asia and the Middle East over the next two to three years.
Market Impact and Trade Implications
Neutral to bullish for Black Sea sunflower oil trade: Kazakhstan’s capacity expansion introduces additional competition in refined sunflower oil, a segment traditionally led by Black Sea producers such as Ukraine and Russia. The 370,000-ton increase represents a meaningful new supply stream that could pressure refined oil premiums in key demand centers across Central Asia and the Middle East.
Because Kazakhstan is prioritizing refined output, the direct competitive overlap with Ukraine’s crude sunflower oil exports may remain limited. Instead, Kazakhstan is likely to deepen its role in regional, often landlocked, markets where logistics from the wider Black Sea can be more complex. Traders should watch whether these volumes reroute trade away from traditional Black Sea export corridors or simply carve out distinct niches in neighboring Central Asian destinations.
Source: Market Data
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