Sunflower Oil Crisis Hits Bulgaria as Shortages Lead to Factory Closures

Bulgaria's sunflower oil industry is facing a crisis due to a sunflower seed shortage, with factories shutting down and price hikes expected. The shortage is attributed to the government's decision to refuse restrictions on sunflower imports from Ukraine and a poor 2024 harvest. Bulgaria's processing facilities require about 1.5 million tons of sunflower seeds annually, but domestic production falls short. The industry contributes significantly to Bulgaria's GDP and tax revenues.

A shortage of sunflower seeds is threatening Bulgaria‘s sunflower oil industry, with factories shutting down and price hikes expected. Supermarkets will not be responsible for the rising prices, as the industry grapples with limited supplies. According to the Association of Sunflower Oil Producers, many processing facilities in Bulgaria have already ceased operations. The main reason cited is the government’s refusal to restrict sunflower imports from Ukraine. This decision, coupled with a poor 2024 harvest, which yielded only about 1.42 million tons, has exacerbated the crisis. Bulgarian processors require approximately 1.5 million tons of sunflower seeds annually to meet demand, but domestic production falls short. In previous years, the shortfall was offset by imports, primarily from Ukraine. However, restrictions on Ukrainian imports, imposed under pressure from Bulgarian sunflower producers, have now created a severe supply crunch for oil mills. Bulgaria has historically ...