Rapid growth in containerization of sunflower oil exports

19 May, 2020 at 14:05

The recent two seasons have featured a clear trend towards the containerization of sunflower oil exports by sea. 

The publicity of this method of export stems from the following advantages: 

•    the possibility of shipping small cargoes, actually by retail;
•    sunoil delivery “from door to door” retaining the cargo quality and quantity;
•    no need to handle the cargo at the sea terminal.

Noteworthy, ¾ of containerized exports are now accounted for by shipments in flexi tanks. 

According to UkrAgroConsult’s estimates, sunflower oil exports in flexi tanks by sea may close MY 2019/20 at a record level. 

The range of export destinations has widened. While the nine biggest importers absorbed 74% of containerized sunflower oil exports in MY 2016/17, now they account for 51%. This indicates an increase in geographical diversification of the export flow. China is worth to be pointed out separately, as it has tripled containerized sunflower oil imports from Ukraine over the past two seasons.