Sunflower or safflower oil and fractions market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

Production of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) rose from 11.7 million tonnes in 2018 to 15.8 million tonnes in 2023. This expansion was initially fueled by a 21% increase in the sunflower seed harvest in 2019, which raised raw material availability. Continued growth was supported by the launch of new large-scale processing facilities in Russia’s Rostov and Orenburg regions in 2023.

Geopolitical events, including the military conflict in Ukraine, led to a 13% production drop in 2021, particularly affecting refined oil output. Subsequently, economic pressures shifted consumer preference toward cheaper unrefined oils, boosting the domestic market volume from 3.7 million tonnes in 2021 to 6.7 million tonnes in 2023. Export duties and restrictions introduced in 2022 further encouraged local supply retention.

By 2024, Russia’s sunflower oil production reached around 8 million tonnes, with rising global prices and strong export performance. Authorities implemented quotas on sunflower seed exports from Zabaykalsky Krai to stabilize raw material supplies, while online sales platforms became increasingly important for distribution.

Production sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has seen its production of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions grow for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 14 109 thousand tons, marking a moderate year-over-year increase of 6.1%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 20.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.3%. The most significant production decline occurred in 2018, when output remained essentially flat. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with production jumping by 13.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 11 384 million US dollars, up by 16.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, the production value grew by 24.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 9 136 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 0.3% during this period.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sunflower or safflower oil and fractions from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 11 392 thousand tons, reflecting a controlled year-over-year gain of 8.7%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 24.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 8 922 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 2.8%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with exports surging by 17.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the country composition of exports in kind was quite dispersed. India accounted for 23.2% of exports, China for 11.6%, and the Netherlands for 6.8%. Together, these three countries represented just 41.6% of total export flows, with the remaining 58.4% distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 9 192 million US dollars, showing a strong increase of 19.4% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 28.2%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 8.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 6 946 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, sunflower or safflower oil and fractions from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were traded with numerous countries. Even the largest destinations—India, China, and the Netherlands—together accounted for only 39.8% of total exports in value terms, highlighting the diverse nature of the market.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports sunflower or safflower oil and fractions to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

The import market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Volumes dropped to their lowest point in 2019 and then climbed to a peak in 2020, representing a 3.4-fold shift between these years. In 2020, foreign supplies of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) reached 407 thousand tons, amounting to a dramatic increase of 237.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 121 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 58.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were not heavily concentrated. Serbia accounted for 3.3% of imports, Germany for 1.8%, and the Netherlands for 1.7%. Together, these three countries captured only 6.8% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume tallied 579 million US dollars, reflecting a dramatic rise of 35.7% compared with 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 42.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 375 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 8.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were not concentrated on a few key markets. Serbia represented 3.2% of imports, Germany 2.6%, and the Netherlands 2.5%. Jointly, these three countries accounted for only 8.3% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020