Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Western Asia grew from 26 245 t in 2018 to 43 661 t in 2021, driven by rising consumer preference for healthy, plant-based oils. This sustained demand was supported by agricultural policies and state subsidies for sunflower and soybean cultivation, although local production capacity remained underutilized, maintaining a high dependence on imports. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused global supply chain disruptions but reinforced the focus on healthy eating, further boosting market volume.

Market volume plunged to 19 044 t in 2022 due to sharp price increases for oilseeds triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war and persistent global supply chain issues, which altered trade flows and encouraged higher exports. The launch of new seed technologies, such as nematode-resistant Enlist E3 soybeans and Pelta seed coating for canola, began influencing cultivation practices. By 2023, the market partially recovered to 31 667 t, though continued currency policy impacts and the imbalance between high imports and underutilized domestic capacity kept conditions volatile.

In 2024, key trends persisted: consumer demand for healthy plant-based oils, rising domestic sunflower production in Turkey, and significant reliance on imported oilseeds. The Turkish Ministry of Agriculture adjusted import regulations for oilseeds and feed to support local producers, yet full capacity utilization in domestic processing remained unachieved, leaving the market sensitive to external shocks and internal policy measures.

Production oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

Western Asia's production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 53 828 tons, but by 2020 it had fallen to 48 357 tons, representing a 10.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 15.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.8%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when production jumped by 28.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of expansion, the value of Western Asia's oil seeds and oleaginous fruits production declined. In 2019, production value peaked at 182.9 million US dollars, but dropped to 151.2 million US dollars in 2020, marking a substantial 17.4% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, the production value increased by 40.2%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 11.9%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018 at 45.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from Western Asia showed considerable volatility during the observed period. In 2017, exports bottomed out at their lowest level, then surged to a peak of 31 897 tons in 2018, representing a threefold increase. By 2020, exports had declined to 10 703 tons, showing a dramatic 65.0% reduction compared to 2019. The most significant growth occurred in 2018, with exports increasing by 200.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, Egypt, and Algeria were the leading destinations for Western Asia's oil seeds and oleaginous fruits exports by volume. India accounted for 42.4% of total exports, Egypt for 14.3%, and Algeria for 4.1%. Together, these three countries represented 60.9% of all export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits exports from Western Asia experienced significant fluctuations. In 2017, export value reached its lowest point, then climbed to a peak of 103.9 million US dollars in 2019, representing a 3.8-fold increase over the two-year period. By 2020, export value had fallen to 33.5 million US dollars, indicating a steep 67.8% decline from the previous year. The most substantial growth occurred in 2018, with export value increasing by 241.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Egypt, and Germany were the primary markets for Western Asia's oil seeds and oleaginous fruits exports by value. India accounted for 44.5% of total export value, Egypt for 12.0%, and Germany for 4.7%. Collectively, these three destinations represented 61.2% of all export value during this period.

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

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

Imports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits into Western Asia showed notable volatility. In 2018, imports reached their lowest point at 4 373 tons, while 2017 saw the peak import volume, representing a 5.5-fold difference between these years. By 2020, imports had risen to 8 737 tons, marking a dramatic 59.2% increase from the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, when imports fell by 81.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia, Egypt, and Paraguay were among the largest suppliers of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to Western Asia by volume. Russia accounted for 18.2% of total imports, Egypt for 16.2%, and Paraguay for 7.1%. However, even combined, these three countries represented just 41.5% of total import volume, indicating a broadly diversified supplier base.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits imports into Western Asia showed considerable fluctuation during the period. In 2018, import value reached its lowest point at 10.1 million US dollars, while 2017 saw the peak import value, representing a 4.6-fold difference. By 2020, import value had increased to 17.1 million US dollars, corresponding to a 15.5% uptick from the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with import value falling by 78.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 47.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits into Western Asia by value were not heavily concentrated among a few suppliers. Egypt accounted for 26.8% of total import value, Paraguay for 9.9%, and China for 4.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 41.0% of total import flows, reflecting a diversified import partner structure.

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

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