Main points
- In 2025, sunflower processing in the EU fell to 7.4 million tons, the lowest level in 9 years.
- The reduction in processing volumes is explained by a decrease in production, restrained activity of farmers, and the impact of the war in Ukraine.
Sunflower processing in the EU / Photo Pixabay
In October-December 2025, sunflower seed processing in the European Union increased seasonally, but remained significantly lower than last year. At the end of the year, the indicator decreased to the lowest level in the last 9 years.
Sunflower processing volumes have fallen
In the European Union, sunflower seed processing volumes increased seasonally in October-December 2025, but failed to approach last year's figures, reports APK-Inform. According to Oil World estimates, about 2.1 million tons of the oilseed were processed during this period, which is 7% more year-on-year.
At the same time, according to the results of 2025, total sunflower processing in the EU amounted to 7.4 million tons. This is the lowest figure in the last 9 years and a significant drop compared to 9 million tons in 2024.
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Analysts explain the reduction in processing volumes by a decrease in sunflower production in EU countries, the restrained activity of farmers in selling raw materials, as well as the consequences of the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine, which continue to negatively affect the export of Ukrainian products.
Due to the deterioration of sunflower processing margins, a number of plants began to reorient their capacities to more profitable oilseeds. This process was most active in the Netherlands, France, and Bulgaria.
Note! Against this background, rapeseed processing volumes in the EU have increased, which was facilitated by sufficient global crop reserves and a relatively high share of oil yield. In particular, in October-December 2025, rapeseed processing reached 6.6 million tons, which is 5% more than a year earlier.
Smaller harvest and infrastructure damage: UCAB explains rise in sunflower oil prices
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Sunflower oil prices have increased due to reduced seed yields, reduced exports, and infrastructure destruction.
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Ukraine is trying to compensate for losses by producing soybean and rapeseed oil, but their volumes are still insufficient to fully cover the deficit.