Safflower seeds market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The safflower seeds market in Central America showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. The volume started at 58 666 t in 2018, influenced by Russia's national project to boost oil and fat exports, which highlighted safflower as a key crop for global trade growth until 2024. After a drop to 52 009 t in 2019, the market surged to 86 794 t in 2020.

A sharp contraction followed in 2021, bringing volume down to 52 556 t, before a strong recovery to 77 139 t in 2022. This rebound coincided with regulatory changes in Mexico, a major producer, where a ban on GMO seeds by 2024 stimulated demand for non-GMO hybrid and open-pollinated varieties. Improved cultivars such as SEMAY OL and CW 99-OL, offering better disease resistance and yield, supported production expansion.

In 2023, market volume declined to 65 763 t, even as safflower consolidated as an alternative to sunflower in crop rotations and demand for certified seeds remained strong. The ongoing Russian export initiative and continued focus on seed biotechnology in Mexico provided a supportive backdrop for the market through 2024.

Production safflower seeds in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of safflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of safflower seeds, 2017-2020

Central America's safflower seeds production increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, the region produced 86.8 K t of safflower seeds, representing a 68.0% gain from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 23.3%, which equates to an annualized rate of 7.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 51.7 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 16.6%.

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

Exports safflower seeds from Central America

Exports in kind, t

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

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

Imports safflower seeds to Central America

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest safflower seeds import volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 t, while the highest occurred in 2019 at 354.4 t, representing a peak-to-trough ratio of 354 400 times. In 2020, foreign safflower seeds supplies to Central America reached 1.1 t, marking a dramatic reduction of 99.7% compared to the prior year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 99.9%, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 35 439 892.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the almost exclusive supplier of safflower seeds to Central America, accounting for 98.1% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 K $ US, while the highest occurred in 2019 at 160.3 K $ US, representing a peak-to-trough amplitude of 14 576 times. In 2020, imported safflower seeds volumes in Central America totalled 1.4 K $ US, indicating an intense drop of 99.1% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 99.4%, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 1 457 543.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the key partner for imports in value terms, accounting for 96.2% of total flows.

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

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