Russia Overtakes Ukraine to Become World's Top Sunflower Oil Exporter

By Vadim Chetrari | 14 September 2026

Russia has ended two decades of Ukrainian dominance to become the world's leading exporter of sunflower oil. According to updated estimates from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Russian sunflower oil exports reached 4.2 million tonnes in the 2025/26 marketing year, narrowly surpassing Ukraine's 4.036 million tonnes.

The shift marks a historic break from the previous market structure. Ukraine had held the top position among sunflower oil-exporting countries for twenty consecutive seasons before Russia's ascent to the top of the global rankings.

The latest figures represent a notable change in trade dynamics compared to the 2024/25 marketing year, when Ukraine exported 4.74 million tonnes of sunflower oil against Russia's 4.2 million tonnes.

Looking ahead to the 2026/27 marketing year, the USDA forecasts continued growth in exports from both leading suppliers. Russian sunflower oil shipments are projected to reach 5.1 million tonnes, while Ukrainian exports are estimated at 5 million tonnes, according to industry publication Latifundist.

Source: Logos Press