Sunflower Seeds
Oil-type sunflower seed by oil content, Black Sea and Danube origin
CBIL brokers oil-type sunflower seed — the small black seed that crushes into sunflower oil and a 30–36% protein meal — from the Black Sea and Danube belt that supplies most of the world's exportable surplus: Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova, with Argentina as the southern-hemisphere alternative. The contract is written on oil content at 44–50% as received with a base of 44% or 46% and a scale either side, moisture at 8% maximum, admixture at 2–3% maximum, acidity of the extracted oil at 2% maximum and test weight, which tells a crusher how well the seed has filled and how much hull he is paying freight on. Buyers should say which seed they want: oil-type is bred for oil and hulls thin; confectionery-type is the larger striped seed graded on size (count per ounce), colour and kernel yield for snack, bakery and bird-feed packers, and it prices on a different market altogether.
The buyers are the Turkish, Egyptian and Mediterranean crushers who import seed to run their own presses, and the trade moves in Handysize and coaster parcels from the Danube river ports — Constanța, Galați, Izmail and Reni — where draught keeps the stems at 3,000–12,000 MT; LaycanDesk, our chartering desk, works those coasters and prices the freight alongside the seed. Ukraine did not report HS 1206 exports for 2025; Romania declared 290,257 MT, 85% of it to Bulgaria and 11% to Spain, at unit values of USD 617–710 per MT (UN Comtrade, 2025 export declarations). Excluded origins are not offered. Sunflower seed is light and heats readily, so the moisture and admixture figures at load are what protect the outturn. Every lot ships against SGS or Intertek certification of oil content, moisture, admixture, acidity and test weight, with phytosanitary and fumigation documentation, in bulk vessel parcels and 25 / 50 kg PP bags for confectionery seed, on FOB, CFR and CIF terms.
Need the ship as well? Our chartering desk prices Danube and Black Sea coaster freight on LaycanDesk.
Indicative reference
$580–720 USD / MT
as at September 2026
Reference level only — not an offer, and reviewed quarterly. Levels shown are as at September 2026. Firm pricing is quoted per RFQ, subject to volume, terms and inspection.
Typical Specification
Specifications are indicative and adjusted to the agreed contract and destination requirements. Final spec confirmed on COA / SGS.
Available Grades
Applications
- Oil crushing & refining
- Sunflower meal for feed
- Confectionery & snack packing
- Bakery & kernel processing
- Bird feed
Category
Agri-Foods, Spices & Nuts
Incoterms
FOB · CFR · CIF
Pricing basis
USD / MT
Inspection
SGS / Intertek at load port
Sunflower Seeds — buyer questions
Oil-type or confectionery-type — what is the difference?
Two crops sold on two markets. Oil-type is the small black seed with a thin hull and 44–50% oil, contracted on oil content for crushing. Confectionery-type is the large striped seed contracted on size, colour and kernel yield for snack, bakery and bird-feed packers, and it prices well above oil seed. Ordering one for the other's use is the commonest mistake on this line; state the use.
What parcel sizes load from the Danube?
Coasters and small Handysizes of 3,000–12,000 MT from Galați, Izmail and Reni, limited by river draught, with larger lots consolidating at Constanța. Turkish and Egyptian crushers take them on a rolling basis rather than in single large stems. Our chartering desk fixes the coasters, so we can quote seed and freight as one delivered number.
How is the oil-content scale settled?
Against a base, usually 44% or 46% as received, with a pro-rata premium above and discount below on the certified figure at load or discharge. Moisture and admixture are deducted first. Ask for the scale, the sampling method and the analysing laboratory to be named in the contract, because a percentage point of oil is worth more than the freight on most Danube parcels.
Can you supply high-oleic sunflower seed?
Yes, as a separate grade with oleic acid certified at 80% or more of the oil, from Black Sea and Danube growers under identity-preserved contracts. It commands a premium and is bought by crushers supplying frying and food-service oil. It has to be kept apart from conventional seed from field to hold, so lead time and lot sizes are less flexible.
Ready to source Sunflower Seed?
Send your quantity, specification, preferred Incoterms and destination port. We'll verify supply and respond with a workable offer — usually within one business day.
Have Sunflower Seed to sell? Submit an offer — we'll match it against live buyer demand.
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