ViOil starts high-oleic sunflower processing

One of ViOil's oil-extraction plants is about to start high-oleic (HO) sunflower seeds processing in March. By the company's information, the planned processing volume is 35 thou. tons.

“The demand for high-oleic sunflower oil in the world is increasing provoked by the desire of consumers to eat healthy. Therefore, taking into account the dynamics of world prices for other types of vegetable oils, the attractiveness of high oleic sunflower oil for transnational food companies will grow. We already sell this product not only to Europe but also to Asia, America, Australia,” Igor Gadomsky, Commercial Director of the industrial group ViOil, commented.

The company notes that the growth in processors' demand for high-oleic sunflower seeds makes Ukrainian farmers increase the area under this crop. In the new season, areas under high-oleic sunflower will increase by one third vs. the previous year — in 2018 the areas totalled 300 thou. hectares.

“Under almost identical costs and yield, the premium per ton of high-oleic sunflower is USD 50-60,” said Igor Gadomsky.

In October-November 2018, ViOil processed about 80 thou. tons of high-oleic sunflower seeds and produced 35 thou. tons of HO oil. This is twice as high volume compared with the corresponding period last year.

The new infographic guide Agribusiness of Ukraine 2017/18 is available by the link.