Argentina is increasing exports of soybean and sunflower oil at prices significantly lower than those of competitors

According to Oil World (Germany), in March 2025, soybean oil exports from Argentina exceeded expectations and reached 485 thousand tons, of which India and Nepal purchased 244 thousand tons, Bangladesh - 52 thousand tons, Pakistan - 34 thousand tons.

The increase in sunflower processing allowed to increase sunflower oil exports compared to March 2024 by 17% to 119 thousand tons, of which 47 thousand tons were purchased by India (26 thousand tons last year). Exports of sunflower meal increased compared to last year from 113 to 117 thousand tons, and soybean meal - from 2.16 to 2.26 million tons.

The resumption of the Vicentin plant thanks to an agreement on the payment of salaries will allow the country to increase the volume of soybean and sunflower processing in 2025.

Currently, in Argentina, crude soybean oil prices are $998-1000/t FOB, and sunflower oil is $1114-1120/t FOB, while in Ukraine, sunflower oil is traded at $1140-1150/t FOB.

May soybean oil futures on the Chicago Board of Trade rose 1% to $1,060/t during the week, up 14% over the month on hopes of increased biodiesel production in the US in the new season.

Palm oil futures on the Bursa exchange in Malaysia fell slightly during the week, but on speculative buying caused by increased imports from India, they rose again to 4,037 ringgit/t or $920/t, which is in line with last week's level.

In the near future, vegetable oil markets will remain under pressure from seasonal increases in supply from Argentina and Malaysia and restrained purchases by importers, who will expect prices to fall amid the global economic recession.