RUSSIA/UKRAINE
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The Black Sea countries of Ukraine and Russia have significantly increased their sunflower oil production and exports in the last 10 years. In order to ensure the export quality of this oil, safety parameters on pesticides, PAH, residual solvents and mineral oil contamination must be met Arina Korchmaryova Sunflower oil is one of the world’s most popular edible oils and is widely used for direct food use and cooking purposes. The annual volume of global sunflower oil trade has grown steadily in the last two decades, with the Asia region accounting for the greatest increase in sunflower oil consumption. According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the volume of global sunflower oil exports has doubled in the last 10 years, with the Black Sea countries of Ukraine and Russia increasing their exports dramatically (see Figure 1, p20). In 2019/2020, global sunflower oil exports hit a high of 13.1M tonnes 18 OFI – MAY 2021
Russia.Ukraine sun oil with island ad.indd 2
Quality risks in sunflower oil against 6.5M tonnes in 2011/2012. Of the 13.1M tonnes of global sunflower oil exports in 2019/2020, Ukraine accounted for 6.7M tonnes and Russia, 3.8M tonnes. World sunflower oil exports fell to 10.8M tonnes in 2020/21, with Ukraine accounting for 5.5M tonnes and Russia 3M tonnes. The main driver of the sunflower oil market has been the growth of consumption in China and India. India, which was not among the top 10 importers 12 years ago, is currently the world’s largest sunflower oil importer, accounting for 24% of global imports, according to the USDA (see Figure 2, p20). It is followed by the EU (18%), China (15.5%), Iran (8%) and Iraq (5%).
Top producers
The world’s four largest sunflower seed producers are Russia, Ukraine, the EU and Argentina, which account for some 70% of the oilseed’s global volume. Ukraine is the leading global producer and exporter of sunflower oil, accounting for about a third of the world’s sunflower
oil production and half of global exports. In 2019/20, Ukraine exported a record 6.7M tonnes of sunflower oil, up 10% compared to the previous season. This volume included almost 6M tonnes of crude oil and 0.7M tonnes of refined oil. Russia has been increasing sunflower oil production for the past few years with a growth in planted area, development of its processing industry, and better utilisation of crushing capacities. In the last few growing seasons, competition between Ukraine and Russia has intensified as the countries’ exports grow at a record pace. Russian sunflower oil is cheaper than Ukrainian oil, helping the country strengthen its position in the Indian and Chinese markets.
Sunflower seed quality
The quality of sunflower seeds defines the quality of sunflower oil, and the standard of oilseed is heavily influenced by weather factors. Last year’s low harvest, for example, was the result of unfavourable weather www.ofimagazine.com
29/04/2021 14:53:36
