Key facts
- Turkey is seeking alternative sunflower seed oil suppliers due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- Minister Vahit Kirişçi assured that Turkey has enough sunflower seed oil in stock.
- Sunflower production in Turkey increased by 17% in 2021.
- Turkey imports sunflower oil to meet growing domestic demand.
- The export of sunflower seed oil has been halted.
Turkey is actively seeking new suppliers for sunflower seed oil as the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine may restrict imports from the Black Sea region. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Vahit Kirişçi addressed concerns about potential supply issues, stating that the country has adequate sunflower seed oil reserves to meet domestic demand. He highlighted that Turkey's own sunflower production has grown significantly, increasing by 17 percent in 2021 compared to the previous year. Despite this domestic growth, the country relies on imports to satisfy demand, which has risen, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ministry is closely monitoring the conflict's developments and implementing measures to diversify supplier countries and secure alternative vegetable oils. As part of these efforts, the export of sunflower seed oil has been temporarily halted to manage stock levels. Municipal police in several provinces have also been inspecting supermarkets to ensure sunflower seed oil and other vegetable oils are not being removed from shelves to warehouses and to monitor prices.