Russia's sunoil exports are expected to keep rising in the current 2006/07 crop year started in October, and may reach 0.8-0.9 million tonnes. In 2005/06, exports surged to an all-time high of 0.62 million tonnes from 0.226 million tonnes last season. Crude sunoil accounts for the lion's share of the total sunoil exports.
In 2005/06, they rose to 561,120 tonnes from 203,510 tonnes in the previous season and accounted for 90 percent of the total. The European Union, Turkey and Egypt remain major buyers of Russia's crude sunoil. In addition, Russia sold its oil to some knew markets this season Algeria, Croatia, the UAE, and Morocco.
Refined sunoil shipments increased to 60,050 tonnes in 2005/06 from 22,500 tonnes in 2004/05. Despite a vigorous increase in the refined sunoil exports, they still remain lower than imports. In 2005/06, imports totalled 101,370 tonnes. But in September, refined oil exports reached an all-time monthly high of 9,500 tonnes and exceeded imports of 7,220 tonnes for the first time.
Growing exports of refined sunoil reflect an attempt of Russian companies to conquer new markets. In August - September, they shipped 6,000 tonnes of refined sunoil to Iraq.
In 2006/07, Russia is expected to keep increasing its sunoil exports. Russia's oilseed production in 2006 is expected to have increased to a new all-time high of some 8 million tonnes from 7.5 million tonnes last year. Of this, sunflower production is estimated at 6.8 million tonnes compared to 6.4 million tonnes in 2005. This implies a new record high vegetable oil production in 2006/07 of around 2.7-2.75 million tonnes against 2.55 million tonnes in 2005/06.