Safflower seeds market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The safflower seeds market in China recorded a volume of 66.1 thousand tons in 2018, which decreased to 62.9 thousand tons in 2019 before recovering to 69.5 thousand tons in 2020. Production levels remained steady around 33.8 thousand tons during these years.

Market expansion accelerated from 2021 onward, reaching 70.6 thousand tons in 2021 and jumping to 94.4 thousand tons in 2022. The most dramatic growth occurred in 2023, when the volume surged by 53.5% to 144.9 thousand tons. This surge was supported by carbon neutrality policies that boosted demand for sustainable agricultural products and the integration of digital technologies such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence into production and sales processes, improving market efficiency. Furthermore, the diversification of safflower seeds into cosmetics, food, beverages, and dietary supplements created new demand streams.

In 2024, the market continued to evolve with an emphasis on biotechnology for developing high-yield varieties, the growing importance of green and organic certifications, and the expansion of e-commerce sales channels. These developments promoted standardized production and enhanced the product's quality and international market appeal.

Production safflower seeds in China

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, China ranked sixth globally in safflower seed production.

Top producers of safflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of safflower seeds, 2017-2020

In 2020, China produced 33,803 tonnes of safflower seeds, showing only minor fluctuations compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 0.6%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.1%.

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

Exports safflower seeds from China

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, representing an 81-fold difference. In 2020, China exported 327 tonnes of safflower seeds, a decrease of 23.8% from the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 429 tonnes, with the largest increase that year reaching 2,197.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Japan, Kazakhstan, and South Korea—collectively accounted for 59.4% of China's total safflower seed exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export values bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2019, differing by 119 times. In 2020, China exported $256,000 worth of safflower seeds, down 63.4% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at $700,000, with the largest increase that year reaching 3,701.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates (23.4% of export value), Iran (23.0% of export value), and Kazakhstan (14.6% of export value) formed the main group of destinations for China's safflower seed exports by value, together representing 61.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports safflower seeds to China

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, foreign safflower seed supplies to China increased. In 2020, imports reached 35,992 tonnes, up 21.8% year-over-year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 4.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 29,554 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 14.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan accounted for 99.4% of China's total safflower seed imports by volume, making it the overwhelmingly dominant market.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Safflower seed deliveries to China increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, China imported approximately $10,927,000 worth of safflower seeds, marking a 30.1% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 13.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at $7,160,000, with the largest decline that year at 25.9%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Kazakhstan remained the nearly exclusive supplier of safflower seeds to China, holding a 99.3% share of total imports by value.

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

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