Crude sunflower or safflower oil and fractions market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for crude sunflower or safflower oil experienced significant volatility between 2018 and 2024. Market volume, measured in physical terms, expanded to 459 thousand tons in 2019 before entering a sustained contraction, falling to 239 thousand tons by 2023. This decline coincided with a sharp increase in market value to $482 million in 2022, indicating a period of substantial price inflation, which was followed by a drop in value to $274 million in 2023.

A notable recovery occurred in 2024, with market volume rising to 368 thousand tons. This rebound was driven by a decline in sunflower oil prices after they had reached elevated levels in 2023, which had previously restrained consumer demand. The lower prices in 2024 encouraged higher domestic usage. Simultaneously, increased domestic production of sunflower oil, supported by a larger sunflower harvest in 2023, enhanced supply and contributed to a higher degree of self-sufficiency.

The market structure is shaped by EU regulations governing labeling and quality standards, which define distinct product segments. Germany's supply continues to rely significantly on imports, primarily sourced from the Netherlands, Ukraine, and Hungary, influencing overall market dynamics and price formation.

Production crude sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Germany's production of crude sunflower or safflower oil and fractions rebounded in 2020 after declining for two consecutive years. Output was valued at 12 572 thousand US dollars, marking a 13.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The lowest production value was recorded in 2019 at 11 110 thousand US dollars, while the most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 4.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Germany produced 79 271 tonnes of crude sunflower or safflower oil and fractions, representing a substantial decrease of 20.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 10.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.8%. Production peaked in 2019 at 99 617 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 24.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports crude sunflower or safflower oil and fractions from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2020, Germany exported 18.0 thousand tonnes of crude sunflower or safflower oil and fractions, reflecting a sharp year-on-year decline of 56.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 17.3 thousand tonnes, while exports peaked in 2019 at 41.7 thousand tonnes. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with growth of 141.3%, resulting in a 2.4-fold fluctuation between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Sweden were Germany's primary export markets for crude sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 42.7% of exports, followed by the United Kingdom at 14.6% and Sweden at 14.1%. Together, these three countries represented 71.4% of Germany's total export flows during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values exhibited irregular patterns, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2020, Germany's exports of crude sunflower or safflower oil and fractions reached 21.7 million US dollars, down 45.5% from the previous year. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018 at 20.0 million US dollars, while exports peaked in 2019 at 39.9 million US dollars. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019 with growth of 99.7%, creating a two-fold variation between the high in 2019 and the low in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Sweden were the leading destinations for Germany's exports of crude sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 38.4% of export value, followed by the United Kingdom at 12.7% and Sweden at 11.6%. Collectively, these three markets represented 62.7% of Germany's total export value during this four-year period.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports crude sunflower or safflower oil and fractions to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Germany's imports of crude sunflower or safflower oil and fractions declined in 2020. Import volume reached 371.3 thousand tonnes, representing a 7.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 36.9%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 11.0%. Imports peaked in 2019 at 400.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 30.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Ukraine were Germany's main sources for imports of crude sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in volume terms. Hungary accounted for 29.0% of imports, followed by the Netherlands at 28.9% and Ukraine at 26.8%. Together, these three countries supplied 84.7% of Germany's total import volume during this period.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of expansion, Germany's import value for crude sunflower or safflower oil and fractions decreased in 2020. Imports reached 321.8 million US dollars, down 5.0% year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 32.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.9%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 338.7 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 23.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Ukraine formed the core group of suppliers for Germany's imports of crude sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in value terms. Hungary accounted for 28.0% of import value, followed by the Netherlands at 27.6% and Ukraine at 25.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 80.7% of Germany's total import value during this four-year period.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020