Ukrainian Sunflower Oil Producer Halts Output Over Russian Attacks

Ukrainian sunflower oil producer Viktor i K, operating under the Korolivskyi Smak brand, has halted production and reduced staff due to Russian attacks. The company cited electricity supply problems and constant threats of missile and drone strikes as reasons for the decision, announced Friday, November 13. The Kirovohrad region enterprise is completing shipments of finished products and stopping purchases of oilseed crops. The company, which built a new processing plant in 2024 with a daily capacity of 600 tons, said it regrets having to lay off long-term employees. Other producers have also suspended operations, including Nizhyn fat plant on November 10 and Kernel facilities on November 12-13. Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi assured that Ukraine faces no sunflower oil shortage, as existing reserves and current production suffice for the domestic market.