Russia is set to double its sunflower oil exports to China in the 2026-2027 marketing year, but will sell the product at discounted prices amid ongoing disruptions to its port infrastructure caused by conflict in the Black Sea region. The adjustment comes as Russia faces challenges in shipping sunflower oil to its key buyer India.
Kyrylo Tyshkevych, head of trading at Sodrugestvo Group—one of Russia's top three sunflower seed producers—said that recent attacks by both Russian and Ukrainian forces have hampered loading operations at Black Sea ports, critical hubs for exporting grains and vegetable oils. These disruptions have forced exporters to find alternative routes to maintain supply, especially to China.
To circumvent the damaged sea ports, Russian exporters have shifted sunflower oil shipments to China over land, resulting in a planned doubling of exports to approximately one million tonnes in the marketing year that began September 1. However, these shipments are reportedly offered at lower prices to stay competitive under the altered logistics and increased costs.
Meanwhile, shipments to India, which rely largely on maritime routes, are expected to decline to 1.1 million tonnes in 2026 from 1.5 million tonnes the previous year, according to Tyshkevych. Despite the logistical hurdles, Russia anticipates a rise in sunflower seed production this year to around 20 million tonnes, up from 17.5 million tonnes in 2025.
As the world’s largest producer and exporter of sunflower seeds, Russia’s export adjustments reflect broader impacts of the continued conflict on agricultural trade flows in the region. The need to reroute exports and offer discounts highlights the challenges faced by exporters amid the ongoing instability affecting the Black Sea corridor, a vital artery for global food supplies.