Russia Overtakes Ukraine as India's Top Sunflower Oil Supplier
Russia has become the largest supplier of sunflower oil to India, with imports increasing twelvefold over four years. This shift is driven by Russia's reliable port access and competitive pricing, as Ukraine redirects exports mainly to Europe due to logistical challenges caused by conflict. Despite a recent price hike affecting overall imports, Russia's significant market share in India's sunflower oil trade is expected to continue.
India's sunflower oil import landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with Russia surpassing Ukraine as the top supplier. Over the past four years, imports from Russia have surged twelvefold, reaching about 685,000 tonnes in the first half of 2025 and valued at approximately US$815 million. In the November 2023 to June 2024 period alone, India imported 1.18 million tonnes of sunflower oil from Russia, which accounted for nearly half of the country's total sunflower oil imports. The shift stemmed from disruptions in Ukraine’s export capacity caused by ongoing conflict and logistical restrictions, prompting Ukrainian producers to redirect much of their sunflower oil exports to Europe. India, therefore, turned to Russia, benefiting from the latter’s reliable seaport access and competitive pricing. Russia’s steady supply chain and strengthened trade ties with India have made it a more dependable source amid geopolitical uncertainties. Although recent global price increases have impacted India's edible oil imports, Russia is expected to maintain its dominant position in supplying sunflower oil to the Indian market. This change reflects broader shifts in global edible oil trade influenced by geopolitical and supply chain factors, with India prioritizing stable and cost-effective imports to safeguard food security and meet demand growth.
