India imports record Ukrainian sunflower oil this season despite global drop

In July of the 2024/25 marketing year, Ukraine exported 464,000 tons of sunflower oil, 47% more than in June, marking one of the highest monthly volumes of the season. The main driver of growth was the EU, which received 206,000 tons, up 43% from June, according to APK-Inform.

India also continued to increase purchases, with July shipments reaching 121,000 tons — the highest since November 2023. Over the first 11 months of the season, Ukraine exported 4.58 million tons of sunflower oil, 24% less than last year and the second-lowest level since 2016/17.

From September to July, shipments to India totalled 767,000 tons, 55% more than in the same period last season and the highest since the war began. Ukraine’s share of the Indian market rose to 23% from 12% a year earlier, though Russian oil remains the leader with 58%, and Argentina maintains a 12–13% share despite a 30% drop in volumes.

Overall, India reduced sunflower oil imports in September–July to 2.28 million tons, down 22%, due to lower supply from the Black Sea region, but increased soybean oil purchases to 3.76 million tons, up 59%, thanks to more competitive prices.