- Global sunflower oil prices remained firm as supply growth stayed limited, while war-related disruptions kept export availability and trade flows under pressure.
- Feedstock availability improved only slightly, and logistical disruptions added further strain on shipment schedules and landed costs across importing markets.
- Downstream edible oil demand stayed steady, though high prices and supply uncertainty pushed some buyers toward lower-cost substitutes.
Asia
In Asia, sunflower oil prices remained firm during the first quarter of 2026. The global production of sunflower oil remained at about 20.75 million metric tons in 2025/26, only slightly above 20.38 million metric tons in 2024/25, which kept supply growth limited and supported regional prices. The impact of the war added further pressure, as disruptions to Black Sea trade flows, vessel rerouting, and higher freight and insurance costs slowed deliveries and increased landed costs for Asian buyers. China remained linked to global supply conditions despite domestic production, so tighter export availability continued to influence sentiment. In India, sunflower oil imports are expected to decline because higher prices, slower arrivals, and tighter supply from key exporting origins reduced buying interest. These disruptions also encouraged partial substitution toward palm and soybean oil, which limited stronger demand growth for sunflower oil while keeping domestic prices firm.
Europe
In Europe, the market remained supported as the region continued to be one of the leading producers, with output recovering from the previous low base. However, global trade stayed tight because lower sunflower exports from Ukraine were only partly offset by higher shipments from Russia and Kazakhstan. The Middle Eastern war also increased uncertainty around Black Sea logistics, extended transit risks, and added pressure on regional procurement. As a result, even with better regional production, European buyers continued to face firm supply conditions and elevated replacement costs.
North America
In North America, the market stayed relatively stable, as the region had a smaller role in shaping global sunflower oil trade compared with Europe and the Black Sea market. Still, the effects of the war were visible through tighter global export availability, firmer international prices, and shifting trade patterns. The market was influenced more by these external disruptions than by any major domestic supply shift, which kept sentiment supported.