The oilseed market in the Black Sea-Danube region is entering a phase of active growth and transformation.
Alongside expanding production, competition in key export markets is intensifying, according to analysts at UkrAgroConsult.
They forecast that in the 2026/27 season, the area planted with oilseed crops will increase to around 35.2 million hectares, while production could reach 71.5 million tonnes, setting a new record and putting pressure on profit margins.
“Sunflower remains the dominant crop, accounting for around 72% of global production in the region, reinforcing its strategic importance but also increasing exposure to global competition,” the experts added.
According to them, the soybean and rapeseed segments are showing different trends: soybean acreage is shrinking, while rapeseed cultivation is gradually expanding under the influence of economic and regulatory factors.
UkrAgroConsult emphasizes that weather conditions, processing capacity, and access to markets are becoming the key factors, rather than production volumes alone.
“Production growth dynamics illustrate steady expansion in oilseed output alongside structural changes in crop composition. Crop structure distribution reflects increasing dominance of sunflower and gradual adjustments in soybean and rapeseed shares. Trade flow schemes highlight shifting export priorities toward specific regions and intensifying competition between key exporters,” the analysts summarized.
