Turkey’s Strategic Role in the Global Vegetable Oils Market
At the Oils & Oilseeds Trade Summit 2026, Pelin Ozer, Founder and Managing Partner of MPM Gida San. Ve Tic. A.S., delivered a comprehensive analysis of Turkey’s evolving role in the global vegetable oils market, with a particular focus on sunflower oil trade dynamics.
Her core message was both strategic and direct: Turkey is not just a buyer. Turkey is a processor, a partner, and a gateway.
Why Turkey Matters in Global Vegetable Oils
Turkey occupies a structurally important position in the global vegetable oils trade due to its scale, location and contract discipline.
The country crushes more than 10 million tons of oilseeds annually and operates approximately 6 million tons of vegetable oil refining capacity. This industrial strength positions Turkey not merely as an importing destination, but as a major processing and value-adding hub.
Strategically located between the Black Sea region, MENA and Africa, Turkey serves as a natural bridge between producing and consuming markets. Strong adherence to GAFTA and FOSFA contract standards, combined with a reliable banking and payment framework, reinforces its reputation as a structured and dependable trade partner.
Sunflower Oil: The Backbone of the Market
Sunflower oil is the cornerstone of Turkey’s vegetable oil complex.
It remains: • the #1 produced oil, • the #1 consumed oil, • and the #1 traded oil in the country.
In the 2024/25 season, Turkey’s total vegetable oil production reached 2.24 million tons, with sunflower oil accounting for approximately 40% of output. On the demand side, sunflower oil represents nearly half of total vegetable oil consumption.
Trade data confirms Turkey’s active international role. In calendar year 2024: • Total vegetable oil imports reached approximately 1.9 million tons • Exports amounted to around 1.4 million tons • Export revenues approached USD 2 billion
This demonstrates that Turkey operates not only as an importer, but as a refining and re-export hub generating added value.
Russia–Turkey Supply Dynamics
A significant share of Turkey’s crude sunflower oil imports originates from Russia and Ukraine. Despite sanctions and broader geopolitical trade disruptions, Turkey has maintained its position as one of Russia’s most reliable and structured destinations in the sunflower oil trade.
Pelin Ozer highlighted a key distinction between two major buyer models in the market: • India represents a volume-driven model — highly price-sensitive and largely spot-oriented. • Turkey represents a strategic model — built on long-term relationships, contract discipline, stable demand, geographic proximity to the Black Sea and processing capacity that creates value.
Russia needs both markets. However, Turkey adds structure and value — not just scale.
Shorter freight routes and efficient logistics further strengthen this supply partnership.
2025/26 Season Outlook
Preliminary projections for the 2025/26 season suggest: • Sunflower oil production at approximately 925 KMT • Imports near 1.05 million tons • Exports around 650 KMT • Domestic consumption at roughly 1.35 million tons • Carry-over stocks projected at 100 KMT
While total supply is expected to moderate compared to previous peak seasons, the market remains balanced.
Government tariff quotas — including reduced-duty import windows for sunflower seed or crude sunflower oil — aim to support domestic procurement while maintaining stability in trade flows and processing margins.
Strategic Conclusion
Turkey functions as: • A large-scale processing and refining hub • A disciplined and structured buyer • A re-export platform generating significant export value • A long-term strategic partner in global vegetable oils trade
As Pelin Ozer concluded at the Oils & Oilseeds Trade Summit 2026:
“Turkey is not just a buyer. Turkey is a processor, a partner, and a gateway. And sunflower oil is where this partnership starts.”
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