Safflower seeds market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

Safflower seeds production in the MENA region began at 5 010 t in 2018 and gradually decreased to 4 703 t by 2020. Market volume remained relatively steady between 2019 and 2020, averaging around 14 500 t, supported by annual imports above 10 000 t. During this period, the Russian government's national project for agricultural export targeted unification of the oil and fat industry, including safflower seeds, as a driver for trade growth up to 2024.

The market contracted sharply in 2021, falling to 10 376 t as imports dropped to 6 596 t. A recovery followed in 2022, with market volume reaching 12 715 t alongside a rebound in imports to 10 640 t. By 2023, the market stabilized at 12 511 t, with imports at 8 158 t and exports at 462 t.

In 2024, the MENA region held the largest share of the global safflower seeds market. Supply-side developments included the availability of organic safflower seeds from Medina farms in Saudi Arabia, Tunisia's Ministry of Agriculture program to distribute premium and regular seeds for the 2023/2024 season, and Morocco's SONACOS setting prices for selected seeds for the 2024-2025 agricultural season. These initiatives coincided with imports of 4 631 t and exports of 1 404 t in 2024.

Production safflower seeds in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of safflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of safflower seeds, 2017-2020

Safflower seeds production in the MENA region declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 4 703 tonnes, which is 5.2% less than in 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 13.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 010 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 21.0%.

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

Exports safflower seeds from MENA

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of safflower seeds from MENA showed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. The lowest point was in 2018 at 115 tonnes, while exports peaked in 2019 at 1 488 tonnes, representing a 12.9-fold swing between these years. In 2020, exports dropped sharply to 1 010 tonnes, a 32.1% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a remarkable growth of 1 192.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, MENA's safflower seeds exports were quite dispersed across destinations. Turkey accounted for 17.7% of exports, India for 11.0%, and Vietnam for 1.5%, together making up just 30.2% of total flows. The remaining 69.8% was distributed among a wide range of other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of safflower seeds exports from MENA displayed volatility during the observed period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while exports peaked in 2019, showing a 4.5-fold gap between these years. In 2020, export value fell abruptly to 2 125 thousand US dollars, a 55.8% decline from 2019. The maximum value was 4 807 thousand US dollars in 2019, which also saw the largest increase of 260.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, India, and Vietnam remained the key partners for MENA's safflower seeds exports in value terms. Turkey accounted for 48.2% of export value, India for 18.5%, and Vietnam for 3.9%, together representing 70.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports safflower seeds to MENA

Imports in kind, t

MENA's imports of safflower seeds decreased by 35.4% over the period from 2017 to 2020, with an average annual decline of 13.5%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 10 041 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 39.5%. Imports then increased by 10.8% in 2019. In 2020, imports totaled 3.6% less than the previous year.

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

During 2017–2020, Turkey dominated MENA's safflower seeds imports in volume, holding a 79.7% share of total flows. The remainder was distributed across various other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of safflower seeds imports into MENA showed signs of volatility. The lowest value was in 2018 at 2 810 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2019 at 5 070 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 1.8-fold difference. In 2020, import value fell to 4 495 thousand US dollars, an 11.3% decrease from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 44.1%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 80.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey accounted for 72.2% of the total value of safflower seeds imports into MENA. The remaining flows were scattered among multiple smaller partners.

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

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