Project Finance

Bulgaria Oilseeds and Products Market Outlook 2025: Challenges and Opportunities in Sunflower and Rapeseed Production, Crushing, and Meal Consumption

Introduction :
The Bulgarian oilseeds market in 2025 is undergoing a transformation. With a drastic reduction in sunflower and rapeseed crops due to adverse weather, the country is experiencing a shift in oilseed processing trends. As sunflower crushing decreases and rapeseed crushing rises to record levels, Bulgaria is expected to rely more on imported soybean meal and local rapeseed meal. These changes present both challenges and opportunities for the industry moving forward.

The Bulgarian oilseeds and products market is facing a challenging yet dynamic outlook in 2025, following a significantly reduced harvest in marketing year (MY) 2024/25. The country experienced one of the smallest oilseed harvests in the last 15 years, largely due to the adverse effects of hot and dry weather during the summer season. This extreme weather has taken a toll on yields, particularly for sunflower and rapeseed crops.

Sunflower and Rapeseed Crop Decline

The Bulgarian sunflower crop for MY 2024/25 plummeted to 1.45 million metric tons (MMT), marking the smallest harvest since 2013. Similarly, the rapeseed crop was significantly lower, falling to 175,000 metric tons (MT), the lowest recorded level since 2008. This sharp decline in domestic production has created both challenges and opportunities for the Bulgarian oilseed sector moving forward.

Sunflower Crushing Pressures
Despite the small sunflower harvest, crushing capacity for sunflower seeds remains constrained due to a local and regional deficit of sunflower seeds. The weak crushing margins have further exacerbated the situation. As a result, sunflower crushers in Bulgaria are under increasing pressure to adjust operations, with many switching from sunflower to rapeseed crushing. This shift represents a new trend in the industry and reflects broader regional shifts in oilseed processing preferences.

Rising Rapeseed Crushing and Imports
In contrast to the declining sunflower crop, rapeseed crushing is expected to reach a new record high in MY 2024/25. While rapeseed production is down, the increased crushing of rapeseed is driven by both domestic demand and export opportunities. To meet this demand, Bulgaria is expected to increase its rapeseed imports significantly. The country’s shift towards higher rapeseed crushing, along with reduced local sunflower seed availability, highlights the evolving trends in Bulgaria’s oilseed market, which will likely have long-term implications for production and trade.

Impact on Oilseed Meals
The reduction in sunflower seed availability and the shift towards rapeseed crushing is also having a noticeable impact on domestic oilseed meal production. Sunflower meal, once a key product for the local market, is in short supply. As a result, there is a growing reliance on alternative protein meals to meet domestic consumption needs. The use of sunflower meal is expected to decline, replaced by imported soybean meal and locally produced rapeseed meal. This shift could influence the broader feed industry, as it adjusts to the changing availability of key ingredients.

Outlook for 2025 and Beyond
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, Bulgaria's oilseeds market faces a period of transition. The smaller crops of sunflower and rapeseed will continue to strain domestic supply chains and crushing margins. However, the growing trend of rapeseed crushing and the increase in imports are likely to mitigate some of the challenges associated with the reduced domestic harvests.

The industry’s reliance on imported soybean meal and rapeseed meal, coupled with higher rapeseed crushing, may present opportunities for further integration in the supply chain, as well as increased trade with neighboring countries. Moreover, efforts to adapt to the changing climate and improve yield resilience could have a positive impact on future crops, helping to stabilize production levels in the medium to long term.

Sunflower and Rapeseed Crop Decline

The Bulgarian sunflower crop for MY 2024/25 plummeted to 1.45 million metric tons (MMT), marking the smallest harvest since 2013...

Sunflower Crushing Pressures

Despite the small sunflower harvest, crushing capacity for sunflower seeds remains constrained due to a local and regional deficit of sunflower seeds...

Rising Rapeseed Crushing and Imports

In contrast to the declining sunflower crop, rapeseed crushing is expected to reach a new record high in MY 2024/25...

Impact on Oilseed Meals

The reduction in sunflower seed availability and the shift towards rapeseed crushing is also having a noticeable impact on domestic oilseed meal production...

Outlook for 2025 and Beyond

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, Bulgaria's oilseeds market faces a period of transition...