Romania: sunflower seed supplies to Turkey keep rising

29 January, 2019 at 12:01

Owing to adequate precipitation and expanded sown acreage, Romania harvested a record crop of sunflower seed in 2018 (up 18% on the year). Thereby the country reinforced its position of the top EU grower of this crop. Sunflower plantings were increased due to firm demand for Romanian sunflower seed from both EU and other countries, in particular Turkey.

Last season, Romanian sunflower seed exports reached a record 1.8 MMT. Their growth stemmed from unprecedented demand from Turkey, which Romania managed to meet thanks to additional volumes imported from neighboring Moldova, reports UkrAgroConsult.

This season’s bumper crop of sunflower seed may lead to another peak in its export sales. In addition, the current pace of sunflower seed arrivals from Moldova is actually as fast as a year ago.

Exports in the first four months of MY 2018/19 are down year-on-year. However, contrary to previous practice, the past two seasons have seen sunseed export peaks not only early in the marketing year. Shipments of this commodity also surge in the latter half of the season, when wheat, barley and rapeseed exports slow down. 

Full version of the article is available to subscribers for weekly market report “Black Sea Vegoils” by UkrAgroConsult.

Analytical report "Black Sea Vegoils" contains detailed analysis of the latest trends in oilseeds/vegoils/meals exports, palm oil imports, supply and demand balances with breakdown by crop as well as crop conditions and progress in planting/harvesting in the countries of Black Sea Region.