Ukraine set a seasonal record for sunflower oil exports, shipping 427 thousand tons of products in March 2026 - 18% more than in February. The main driver of growth was abnormal demand from Middle Eastern countries, which, against the backdrop of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the war with Iran, are urgently looking for alternative ways to supply Ukrainian food.
Deliveries to the Middle East region almost doubled in a month, reaching 106.6 thousand tons. The highest dynamics were demonstrated by countries that managed to quickly adapt to new conditions:
Saudi Arabia: imports of Ukrainian oil increased 14 times.
Jordan: a 7.7-fold increase in supplies was recorded.
Due to the blocking of traditional sea routes in the Persian Gulf, buyers have reoriented to land routes through neighboring countries with access to the Red Sea. At the same time, exports to the UAE and Qatar have significantly decreased due to their geographical proximity to the zone of active hostilities.
Sunflower oil price 2026: increase in cost to $1,300 per ton
Military tensions in the region have directly affected quotes. Prices for Ukrainian oil in ports have risen from $1,250 to $1,300 per ton. This has provoked a chain reaction within Ukraine:
The cost of purchasing sunflower from farmers has increased.
Processing plants have activated their capacities to fulfill emergency contracts.
According to experts, export demand will remain at its peak in April. The sharp rise in the price of oil and palm oil on world markets makes Ukrainian sunflower products even more attractive to global importers.
Source: https://dengi.ua/ua/agro/9759940-rekordnij-eksport-ukrayina-narostila-postavki-oliyi-na-blizkij-skhid
