Ukraine's sunflower seed exports have rocketed so far this season and the farm ministry said on Thursday this "unacceptable" trend could destroy one of the country's most lucrative agricultural sectors.

In the 2022 calendar year, a total of 2.75 million tons of sunseed were exported while the volume did not exceed 100,000 tons a year before the war, which Russia calls a "special military operation".

The Ukraine's farm ministry said 70% of the exports was directed to the European Union and 20% to Turkey.