Kernel halts all Ukrainian plants after Russian strikes

Ukraine's largest sunflower oil producer, Kernel, has halted operations at all its plants due to massive Russian strikes. The company said it is still fulfilling existing obligations to Ukrainian farmers. The strikes damaged production buildings, equipment, and tanks at Kernel facilities. The company cited the continuous, fire-hazardous nature of oil extraction and the direct threat to workers' lives as reasons for the full technological shutdown, also suspending seed purchases while continuing warehouse shipments. Before Russia's full-scale invasion, Kernel was the world's largest sunflower oil producer, accounting for nearly 7% of global output and about 12% of exports. It also remains Ukraine's largest grain exporter, shipping 8 million tons last year.