Safflower seeds market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The safflower seeds market in the SADC region demonstrated overall stability from 2018 to 2023, with market volume fluctuating between 14 336 thousand tons and 14 725 thousand tons. A structural emphasis on local seed sales over exports within South Africa's seed industry helped anchor domestic market dynamics during this period, contributing to consistent production levels near 14 300 thousand tons annually.

Market volume saw a modest increase to 14 515 thousand tons in 2022. This growth was supported by the broader expansion of oilseed plantings and improved yields in the region, a trend highlighted in sunflower seed production. Concurrently, upward pressure on global grains and oilseed prices, influenced by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, affected local market conditions. The following year, the market stabilized at 14 354 thousand tons as local oilseed prices remained sensitive to international gains, and industry focus shifted toward high-quality hybrid seeds and climate-smart agricultural practices to mitigate risks.

Looking at the full period through 2024, external factors such as evolving EU regulations and climate-related impacts continued to influence the regional agricultural landscape, including markets for oilseeds like safflower.

Production safflower seeds in SADC

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 SADC experienced a decline following two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 14 568 tonnes, but then decreased by 2.2% to 14 253 tonnes in 2020. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, overall production increased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 2.2%.

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

Exports safflower seeds from SADC

Exports in kind, t

The export market for safflower seeds in SADC demonstrated considerable volatility during the observed period. In 2017, exports reached their lowest point, while 2018 saw the highest volume at 1.7 tonnes. By 2020, exports stood at just 0.7 tonnes, representing a dramatic increase of 73 061.1% compared to the previous year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 99.9%.

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

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for safflower seeds from SADC showed significant fluctuations throughout this period. In 2019, exports peaked at 35.8 thousand US dollars, but then plummeted by 98.5% to just 0.6 thousand US dollars in 2020. This represents a 65-fold decrease between the two years. The most notable increase occurred in 2019, when export values surged by 3 275.9%.

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

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

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

Imports safflower seeds to SADC

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, safflower seeds imports into SADC declined. In 2019, imports reached their highest level at 157.1 tonnes, but then fell by 46.8% to 83.6 tonnes in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 8.9% overall, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when imports rose by 58.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Russia, Ukraine, and the Netherlands were the primary sources of safflower seeds imports into SADC. Russia accounted for 51.7% of imports in volume terms, Ukraine for 19.5%, and the Netherlands for 12.6%. Together, these three countries represented 83.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values for safflower seeds into SADC exhibited volatility during these years. In 2017, values were at their lowest point, while 2019 saw the peak at 104.0 thousand US dollars. By 2020, import values had fallen to 52.8 thousand US dollars, representing a 49.2% decrease from the previous year. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, when import values rose by 96.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Ukraine, and the Netherlands dominated safflower seeds imports into SADC in value terms. Russia accounted for 38.5% of import value, Ukraine for 16.4%, and the Netherlands for 13.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 68.4% of total import value during this period.

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

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