Russia's sunflower oil exports to India down 26% in Jan, but country retains leading position

MOSCOW. March 19 (Interfax) - Russia exported 149,100 tonnes of sunflower oil to India in January 2026, down 26% from the figure a year ago (201,000 tonnes), according to materials from the Indian Commerce and Industry Ministry.

Export revenue decreased 16.1% to $195.7 million from $233.1 million a year earlier.

However, Russia managed to maintain its leading position in the Indian sunflower oil market.

The second largest supplier of this product to the Indian market after Russia in January was Ukraine, supplies from which fell to 45,500 tonnes from 68,700 tonnes in January 2025.

In total, India imported 261,000 tonnes of sunflower oil worth $341.6 million in January compared to 295,700 tonnes (worth $351.4 million) a year earlier.

Russia supplied 1.298 million tonnes of this oil to the Indian market in 2025, which is a third less than in 2024 (1.923 million tonnes). Export revenue decreased to $1.57 billion from $1.89 billion in 2024.