Sunflower or safflower oil and fractions market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Northern American market for sunflower and safflower oil displayed considerable volatility. Consumption declined from 274 thousand tons in 2018 to 242 thousand tons in 2019, then recovered sharply to 295 thousand tons in 2020.

The market contracted again in 2021, falling to 253 thousand tons. This was primarily driven by an 18% surge in global export prices, which raised import costs and reduced shipment volumes into the region. A turnaround followed in 2022, with consumption jumping to 340 thousand tons. Improved global crop outlooks and shifts in export policies from major supplying countries boosted raw material availability, supporting higher domestic production. However, in 2023 the market shrank to 270 thousand tons as imports plummeted by 16.1%, reflecting supply constraints and the prioritization of domestic needs by key exporting nations.

Production sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in Northern America

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

In 2020, Northern America produced 273.8 thousand tons of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions, marking a solid year-over-year increase of 15.8%. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 236.4 thousand tons, which represented the largest decline of 12.6% during the period. Over the 2017-2020 timeframe, overall production grew by 8.4%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, sunflower or safflower oil and fractions production in Northern America rebounded in 2020. The output was valued at 264.0 million US dollars, reflecting an intense 28.4% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 205.6 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 15.6% during this period.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sunflower or safflower oil and fractions from Northern America

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Northern America exported 2,799 tons of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions, representing a steep 56.6% increase from 2019. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 1,788 tons, which experienced the largest decline of 27.5%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 49.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 14.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Northern America traded sunflower or safflower oil and fractions with numerous countries. Even the top three destinations—Kenya, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates—collectively accounted for just 18.3% of total exports in volume terms, indicating a highly diversified export market.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest exports were recorded in 2019 at 1,555 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 30.0%. In 2020, exports surged to 2,699 thousand US dollars, marking a 73.5% increase from the previous year and creating a 1.7-fold gap between the lowest and highest values.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions from Northern America in value terms were not heavily concentrated. The top three markets—Singapore (2.5%), Kenya (1.6%), and the United Arab Emirates (1.1%)—together captured only 5.2% of total export value, with the remaining 94.8% distributed across many other partners.

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

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

Imports sunflower or safflower oil and fractions to Northern America

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes displayed significant volatility over the observed period. The lowest imports were recorded in 2018 at 6,408 tons, which experienced the largest decline of 74.2%. In 2020, imports surged to 24,418 tons, reflecting a steep 212.9% increase from 2019 and creating a peak-to-trough ratio of 3.9 times between the lowest and highest points.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions into Northern America were widely distributed among suppliers. The top three sources—Ukraine (19.0%), Spain (8.2%), and the Netherlands (2.9%)—together accounted for just 30.2% of total import volume, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sunflower or safflower oil and fractions imports into Northern America increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 66,849 thousand US dollars—an intense 59.3% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 93.7%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 24.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, Ukraine (13.1%), Spain (7.5%), and the Netherlands (5.1%) were important suppliers of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions to Northern America in value terms. However, their combined share reached only 25.6% of total import value, with the remaining 74.4% spread across numerous other trading partners.

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

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