Kazakhstan Boosts Sunflower Oil Exports to China Amid Import Reduction
Chinese imports of sunflower oil have fluctuated over the past five years. In 2021, the country purchased 1.283 million tons of products worth $1.348 billion. Of this, Ukraine accounted for 887,000 tons, Russia for 363,000 tons, and Kazakhstan supplied 11,000 tons, or about 1% of the Chinese market.
In 2022, China's purchase volume decreased by more than half to 605,000 tons worth $861 million. Ukrainian supplies were 319,000 tons, Russian 217,000 tons. In contrast, Kazakhstan increased its exports to 64,000 tons, with its share in Chinese imports reaching 11%.
By 2023, the Chinese market rebounded to a record 1.521 million tons and $1.774 billion. Russia exported 789,000 tons, Ukraine 582,000 tons, and Kazakhstan 129,000 tons. Due to the substantial increase in overall imports, Kazakhstan's share that year was 8%.
In 2024, China's sunflower oil imports fell to 1.092 million tons worth $1.020 billion. Russian shipments remained high at 703,000 tons. Ukrainian exports more than halved to 246,000 tons, while Kazakhstan shipped 115,000 tons, restoring its 11% share.
In 2025, China imported 524,000 tons of sunflower oil worth $615 million, the lowest figure for the five-year period. Ukrainian shipments decreased to 68,000 tons, Russian to 280,000 tons. Kazakhstan, in contrast, increased its exports to 147,000 tons, capturing 28% of China's import structure.
According to official Kazakh statistics, about 190,000 tons of sunflower oil were sent to China from January to August 2026, exceeding the same period in 2025 by more than 66%. The export of sunflower meal and cake amounted to 246,000 tons, increasing more than 2.6 times.
The dynamics of Chinese imports of oil and meal will be presented at the international KazOil 2026 conference, which will be held on November 26 in Astana. The report will be delivered by Fang Gang, General Director of the Vegetable Oils Department at ZHEJIANG GRAIN GROUP. The company is a state enterprise in Zhejiang Province, engaged in the production and trade of agricultural products, as well as oilseed processing.
