News company - Sunflower (Helianthus Cultus) in Russia: Key Oilseed Crop and Oil Production - Fork Cast

Land areas under oilseed crops in Russia have reached a historical maximum of 20 million hectares, with a harvest of 31-32 million tons. Producers are switching to sunflower, rapeseed, beans, reducing wheat and rye cultivation. It is expected that processing of oil crops and meal will increase.

Export of meal decreased by 10%, rapeseed meal increased, while soybean meal decreased.

The center of Rosselkhozbank has completed the Forum on the development of linseed production in Russia. The planting area will increase by 5%, reaching 1.753 million hectares, with a yield of up to 1.42 million tons.

This year, the export of linseeds has decreased by 15%, with China and Belgium leading in purchases.

The export of vegetable oils decreased by 22% during the first 5 months of 2025. The export of sunflower seeds, soybeans, rapeseed, and flax decreased. Prices for the products are declining due to abundant reserves and negative producer margins.

Indonesia reduced palm oil exports by 5.37% in the first 4 months of 2025, but the total value increased by 20% to $7.05 billion. The export duty on crude oil was increased from 7.5% to 10%.

The consumption level of mayonnaise in Russia remains one of the highest in the world - 5 kg per person per year. According to OleoScope, the production of mayonnaise products will increase to 929 thousand tons by 2025, with export growth. Consumer preferences are shifting towards sauces. Retail sales of mayonnaise have decreased, while sauces have increased.

Exports of soybeans from Brazil in May 2025 are projected to reach 14.52 million tons, which is 1.75% higher than the forecast from last week.

Exports for January-April amounted to 40.42 million tons, close to half of last year's volume. Revenues are expected to increase with the soybean crop of 2024/25 estimated at 167.9 million tons.

During the period of January-April 2025, Russia exported rapeseed oil to China for $478.2 million, which is 29% more than the previous year. Russia is leading the market, surpassing Canada and Belarus. However, rapeseed exports to China decreased by 3.4 times, reaching $13.1 million.

Prices for sunflower seeds in Kazakhstan continue to rise. Prices for flaxseed have also increased due to high demand and limited supply. Processing of flaxseed in the EU may decrease due to shortages. China is actively purchasing flaxseed from Russia. Global flax exports will decrease, leading to a reduction in oil and meal production.

Company "Molvest" is building a plant for milk processing in the Kalacheyevsky district of the Voronezh region. The new enterprise will help the company meet 60% of the demand for products in Russia, enter the export market, and partially replace imports.

Indian oil producers demand an increase in the difference in import tariffs between crude and refined oil to protect domestic processing. The import of refined oils is hurting the industry. It has been proposed to either raise tariffs on refined varieties or lower them on crude oil. This letter was addressed to Minister Pralhad Joshi, and the government's reaction is unknown.

In the Kurgan region, the sown areas under soybeans will be expanded by 50% and under rapeseed by 22%. The total sown land area will reach 1.4 million hectares. The plan is to increase the acreage under oilseeds by 2025, provide farms with machinery and seeds. Additional support in the amount of 230 million rubles is planned.

The decrease in demand for vegetable oils and the low profitability of sunflower processing jeopardize the industry. Maltsev suggests adjusting sunflower seed prices according to market conditions to avoid potential reduction of demand and accumulation of stocks.