Between July 2025 and February 2026, Ukraine continued to dominate the European Union’s sunflower oil market, supplying nearly 92% of the bloc’s total imports, according to OFI Magazine, which cited data from the European Commission.
A report by the German Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) shows that during the first seven months of the 2025–2026 marketing year (July–June), EU-27 countries imported just under 1.04 million tons of sunflower oil. While Ukraine retained its leading position, the total import volume declined from 1.28 million tons during the same period last year.
UFOP analysts attribute the drop largely to a decrease in Ukraine’s sunflower harvest, which fell from 13 million tons in 2024 to 10.5 million tons in 2025, limiting processing volumes and curbing sunflower oil exports.
Experts also cited continued disruptions caused by Russian attacks on infrastructure and port facilities, which complicated logistics and posed challenges to exporters. Despite these risks, market observers noted that export flows have largely stabilized, reflecting Ukraine’s resilience in the sector.
Among other suppliers, Moldova and Serbia held second and third places, accounting for 5% and less than 2% of EU imports, respectively. Moldova showed growth in shipments, while Serbia lagged significantly behind its previous year’s levels.
