«Fatty» facts about Sunflower Oil: a roundup of the latest news

Sunflower oil is one of the most popular and widely used vegetable oils in the world. It plays a major role in both the food and chemical industries, as well as in natural cosmetics, naturopathy, and herbal medicine. For many home cooks, it’s hard to imagine preparing borscht, soup, goulash, or gravy without it. It’s used in canning, for making marinades and sauces, and even as an ingredient in dough for both sweet and savory baked goods. Simply put, its versatility is unmatched.

This oil has become so familiar in daily life that most people buy it without thinking about the fascinating facts behind it. Let’s take a closer look.

Surprising and Interesting Sunflower Oil Facts

For curious fans of sunflower seed oil, here are a few intriguing insights:

• Ukraine earns more from sunflower oil exports than from IT

In the 2023–2024 marketing year, despite the ongoing war, Ukraine exported 3.87 million tons of sunflower oil, generating nearly $3 billion USD. In comparison, the Ukrainian IT sector — including programmers, system administrators, SMM managers, and engineers — earned slightly less at around $2.5 billion.

• 117 countries buy Ukrainian sunflower oil

As of last year, the largest importers were India, Italy, China, and Spain.

• Argentina tops the global sunflower oil consumption chart

Ukrainians consume only about one-fifth of the sunflower oil produced in the country. The average Ukrainian consumes 10.6 kg of this oil per year. In contrast, the average person in Argentina consumes 16.1 kg, making it one of the top consumers globally.

• Ukrainian sunflower oil can cost up to $4 per liter abroad

In Florida, USA, even at budget-friendly supermarkets like Walmart, Ukrainian sunflower oil is priced at about $4 per liter. That’s over 160 UAH per liter, a price that includes marketing and distribution costs typical for value-added imported products.

• Sunflower oil production provides jobs for 90,000 Ukrainians

While mobilization and war have reduced this figure slightly, it remains relatively stable compared to other sectors.

• It takes 14 sunflowers to produce 1 liter of oil

Ukraine grows around 11 million tons of sunflower seeds annually, yielding just over 3 million tons of oil. This output is achieved through high-efficiency refining and deodorization technologies. In contrast, cold-pressed sunflower oil yields less but is preferred for its purity and natural quality.

• Ukraine produces more sunflower oil than the world does olive oil

In the past year, Ukraine produced about 6 million tons of sunflower oil, while total global olive oil production did not exceed 3.28 million tons.

• Ukrainian families are choosing cold-pressed over refined oil

A growing number of consumers are opting for cold-pressed sunflower oil over refined varieties. There’s also increasing interest in home oil pressing equipment, giving families greater control over freshness, quality, and purity. This trend reflects a broader shift toward healthier and more natural food choices.

Cold-pressed organic Sunflower Oil from CraftOil: perfect for wellness, beauty&cooking

The Ukrainian brand CraftOil offers a wide and evolving selection of aromatic, nutrient-rich, and organic oils, including its signature cold-pressed sunflower oil. This 100% natural product is made from eco-grown sunflower seeds using specialized in-house equipment, including presses with barrels made from caprolon (polyamide-6) or ash wood.

CraftOil’s sunflower oil is a «living» product, ideal for cooking, strengthening the body and supporting overall health.

In the catalog, you’ll also find hulled and unhulled sunflower seeds, as well as various manual and electric oil presses for those who want to make their own oil at home. Want to learn more about home oil pressing and its benefits? Leave a request on our website!