Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The market for oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in the CIS began expanding from 2018, supported by the recognized profitability of sunflower cultivation and initiatives to lower barriers for seed imports. In 2019, consultations ordered by the Russian President to reduce excessive import restrictions improved seed availability, while regional production in areas like Lipetsk exceeded 700 thousand tons, indicating growing capacity.

Market volume continued to rise through 2020 and 2021, with production increasing to 111.6 thousand tons and overall market size reaching 119.7 thousand tons by the end of 2021.

Growth accelerated sharply in 2022 when a record national harvest of oil seeds, reaching 29.1 million tons, pushed production to 134.5 thousand tons and market size to 147.0 thousand tons. This expansion continued in 2023 as sown areas for crops like flax and rapeseed surged due to global demand and supportive state policies, driving the market to 178.2 thousand tons. By 2024, imports of oil seeds jumped to 53.6 thousand tons, fueled by expanding domestic processing capacity and strong foreign demand for Russian vegetable oils, even as import quotas for seeds were tightened to stimulate local seed production.

Production oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, 2017-2020

Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits production in the CIS has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 100.8 K t, marking a 16.4% increase compared to 2019. The minimum production level was recorded in 2018 at 81.8 K t, which represented the largest decline of 21.7% during the period. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 3.5%, translating to an annualized rate of 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in CIS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from CIS

Exports in kind, t

CIS exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits have grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 14 500 t, up 27.1% from 2019. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 7 430 t, which saw the largest decline of 33.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 53.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 29.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 9.0%.

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

The export structure from 2017 to 2020 shows a diversified set of trading partners. Poland accounted for 21.1% of exports in kind, Turkey for 9.4%, and Malaysia for 7.6%, together making up 38.1% of total flows. The remaining 61.9% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from the CIS have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 18 199 K $ US, reflecting a 10.1% advance over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 209.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 45.8%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the partner landscape for exports in value terms was broad. Poland contributed 22.9% of exports in value terms, Turkey 6.0%, and Malaysia 5.2%, collectively accounting for 34.1% of total flows. A substantial 65.9% was supplied to many other countries.

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

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

Imports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to CIS

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, oil seeds and oleaginous fruits imports to the CIS declined. In 2020, imports stood at 21 575 t, down 13.3% from the previous year. The peak import volume was in 2019 at 24 879 t, with the largest increase of 18.6% occurring in 2018. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 19.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China led the import structure in kind with 30.6%, followed by Czechia at 20.2%, and Hungary at 3.7%. Together, these three countries represented 54.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year rise, imported volumes of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to the CIS declined. In 2020, imports registered 58 494 K $ US, which is 13.2% less than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 67 370 K $ US, with the largest increase of 61.2% in 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 79.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, China, Czechia, and Turkey formed the key group of partners for imports in value terms. China accounted for 38.6% of imports in value terms, Czechia for 31.1%, and Turkey for 6.4%, jointly representing 76.1% of total flows of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to the CIS.

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

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