Sunflower production across the Balkans and Black Sea region is projected to drop significantly in 2024/25, with Bulgaria’s output expected to fall to 1.45 million tons. This decline threatens the nation’s processing industry, which requires 4 million tons annually, according to industry experts.

Sunflower Harvest Expectations Across the Region

The region's total sunflower production is forecast to fall by 5.86 million tons, from 38.86 million tons in the previous season to 33 million tons. The expected outputs by country include:

• Turkey: 1.3 million tons
• Bulgaria: 1.45 million tons
• Romania: 1.8 million tons
• Ukraine: 12.5 million tons
• Russian Federation: 16 million tons

This sharp decline has created concerns over the availability of sunflower seeds for processing and export.

Quality Concerns Add to Supply Issues

Sunflower seeds are also losing oil content, with Bulgaria seeing the sharpest decline. Farmers in Bulgaria will produce seeds with an average oil content of 42.35%, down from 43.78% in 2023, marking the lowest quality in the region. Romanian producers will experience a slight dip to 43.08%, while Turkish growers will boost oil content marginally to 43.69%.

Limited Imports and Rising Competition Intensify Pressure

In 2023, Bulgaria imported 0.9 million tons of sunflower seeds from Ukraine to supplement its needs. This year, lower harvests in the region and Ukraine’s focus on expanding its own processing capacity will limit Bulgaria’s ability to rely on imports.

Risks for Bulgaria’s Processing Sector

Bulgaria’s sunflower processing industry faces significant risks due to insufficient supply. Factories capable of processing 4 million tons annually will have to contend with a harvest of only 1.5 million tons, posing severe challenges for maintaining operations.

Conclusion:

Bulgaria’s sunflower industry must navigate a tight supply and rising competition. Processors may need to explore strategies like diversifying raw material sources or scaling back operations to adapt to these challenges.





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