Kernel Restores Sunflower Processing, Limiting Soybean and Rapeseed Production
Ukrainian farmers have intensified the sale of sunflowers to oil extraction plants. Currently, only one plant of the Kernel agroholding is processing soybeans and rapeseed. This was reported by the company’s CEO, Yevhen Osypov, in a comment during the opening of the 4th season of the educational project Open Agrotech University.
This is reported by AgroReview
Previously, Kernel launched soybean processing at three of its plants in October-December 2024, in response to the shortage of sunflower seeds in the market.
“Indeed, some of our plants were operating on soybeans and rapeseed due to the shortage of sunflowers. From the transitional stocks, we understood that the raw material was available; it was just being held back by farmers. In recent weeks, farmers have started selling sunflowers more actively. So only one of our plants is working on soybeans and rapeseed, while the others are busy with sunflowers. The situation is stabilizing,” he noted.
This year, the agroholding reduced sunflower planting by a third due to crop rotation. When asked about the potential impact of this factor on soybean and rapeseed processing, Yevhen Osypov remarked that this is compensated by an increase in sunflower planting among the company’s partners as part of the Open Agribusiness program.
Among the main challenges for oilseed processors, he highlighted the lack of soybeans and rapeseed in Ukraine.
“If we stabilize on sunflowers, then regarding rapeseed, we have returned to a situation where it is unavailable in the country for two to three months; almost all of it is exported. Here, the state should step in and address the question of what we are fighting for: raw materials or products with added value,” Osypov added.
The further development of the grain and oil market in Ukraine and the Black Sea region will be discussed at the 23rd International Conference BLACK SEA GRAIN.KYIV, which will take place on April 24 in Kyiv. This event will serve as a platform for strategic discussions and networking with leaders in the agricultural sector.