26 January 2022, 10:10, Oilseeds

High-oleic sunflower production in Ukraine should reach 1 mln t — forecast

High-oleic (HO) sunflower cultivation is gaining increasing popularity in Ukraine each year. In the 2022 crop year, HO sunflower production in Ukraine is expected to reach 1 mln t, Potoky OEP specialists forecast.

In the 2020/21 season, high-oleic sunflower oil was exported from Ukraine to more than 50 markets.

"High-oleic sunflower oil contains over 82% of Omega-9 oleic acid (monounsaturated fatty acid, MUFA) and a low amount of Omega-6 linoleic acid (polyunsaturated fatty acid, PUFA). At the same time, high-oleic sunflower is not genetically engineered, it was produced by conventional breeding methods," the message reads.

High-oleic oil is an alternative to olive oil for its health benefits, and it is cheaper.

The USDA in its January report estimates sunflower output in Ukraine at 17.5 mln t in 2021/22 (Sep-Aug).

Sunflower production in the country totalled 16.29 mln t, as per the data of the Agrarian Ministry of Ukraine.

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