Sunflower or safflower oil and fractions market in Pakistan

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for sunflower or safflower oil in Pakistan fluctuated between 2018 and 2023. It started at 56 576 t in 2018, dipped to 52 279 t in 2019, then recovered to 56 606 t in 2020. A sharp contraction followed in 2021, with the market falling to 38 737 t. This was followed by two years of strong growth, reaching 51 617 t in 2022 and 68 353 t in 2023.

The rapid expansion in 2022 and 2023 was influenced by global supply chain disruptions, particularly the competition between major sunflower oil suppliers Russia and Ukraine, which affected prices and availability. Concurrently, consumer preferences in Pakistan shifted towards sunflower oil as prices for alternative oils like Indonesian palm oil rose and their availability decreased, supporting higher demand.

In 2024, a notable policy change occurred with the government ceasing the wheat minimum support price, an action designed to encourage farmers to cultivate alternative oilseeds such as sunflower seed. This shift in agricultural policy marks a significant development for the domestic oilseed sector.

Production sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in Pakistan

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan ranked 27th globally in terms of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions production volume.

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

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

After a two-year decline, sunflower or safflower oil and fractions production in Pakistan increased in 2020. That year, Pakistan produced 56 200 tonnes, marking a gradual 8.1% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 6.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 52 000 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with an 8.0% drop.

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

Exports sunflower or safflower oil and fractions from Pakistan

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, representing a 275-fold difference. In 2020, Pakistan's cross-border shipments of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions totaled 1 tonne, reflecting a sharp increase of 27 373.7% compared to the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iraq dominated Pakistan's exports of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in kind, accounting for 93.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this period. Export values bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 69-fold difference. In 2020, Pakistan exported 1.7 thousand US dollars worth of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions, representing an increase of 6 778.7% over the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq was the dominant market for Pakistan's exports of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in value terms, accounting for 90.7% of total exports.

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

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

Imports sunflower or safflower oil and fractions to Pakistan

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 4.3-fold gap. In 2020, Pakistan's cross-border shipments of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions amounted to 407 tonnes, marking a 46.2% year-on-year advance. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 279 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2018 at 1 192 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 76.6% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 284.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (69.9% of imports in kind), Turkey (7.8%), and Saudi Arabia (6.1%) led the structure of Pakistan's imports in kind, together representing 83.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decrease, sunflower or safflower oil and fractions imports to Pakistan increased in 2020. That year, imports totaled 635.9 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a 43.9% gain compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, overall imports decreased by 7.8%, equating to a 2.7% annualized rate. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 441.9 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 30.3% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (50.3% of imports in value terms), Saudi Arabia (13.3%), and Turkey (8.5%) consistently remained the main destinations for Pakistan's imports in value terms, together accounting for 72.1% of total flows.

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

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