Sunflower or safflower oil and fractions market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss market for sunflower and safflower oil volumes experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After reaching 52.4 thousand tonnes in 2019, consumption dropped to 49.2 thousand tonnes in 2020 before recovering to a peak of 55.6 thousand tonnes in 2022. The final year of the period saw a sharp contraction to 47.9 thousand tonnes in 2023. A key driver behind the increased demand in the early years was the 2014 ban on neonicotinoid seed treatments for rapeseed, which constrained domestic rapeseed oil production and shifted demand toward sunflower oil as an alternative.

Structural factors continued to shape the market throughout the period. Swiss farmers produce sunflower oil, including high-oleic varieties suitable for high-temperature cooking, alongside other specialty oils like safflower oil. However, domestic production remained limited, falling from 8.6 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 6.0 thousand tonnes in 2023, keeping the market heavily reliant on imports. The high demand for Swiss rapeseed oil, coupled with uncertainty in its production due to plant protection product shortages, further supported sunflower oil consumption as a substitute.

Global geopolitical conflicts, notably the war in Ukraine, indirectly affected supply and prices from 2022 onward, contributing to import volatility and market size swings. Additionally, Swiss regulations limiting trans fats in fats and oils influenced the composition of edible oils, with industry responding by producing low-trans-fat products, including sunflower oil. New food regulations announced for 2026, covering GMOs, pesticides, and contaminants, also began to inform market expectations.

Production sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, 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

Switzerland's production of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 4 514 tonnes, marking a significant drop of 43.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 35.5%, with an average annual decline of 13.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 8 600 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 22.9%.

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

Exports sunflower or safflower oil and fractions from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

Switzerland's exports of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 308 tonnes, showing a sharp rise of 63.6% year-on-year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 9.2%, with an average annual decline of 3.2%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 130 tonnes, which also experienced the largest drop of 61.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Australia, and the United Kingdom were the largest buyers of Switzerland's sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in volume terms. Germany accounted for 53.2% of exports, Australia for 17.0%, and the United Kingdom for 5.2%, together making up 75.4% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Switzerland's exports of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in value terms have increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 461 thousand US dollars, up 13.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 51.8%, with an average annual decrease of 21.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 407 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 56.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand were the top three markets for Switzerland's sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in value terms, collectively absorbing 68.1% of total exports.

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

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

Imports sunflower or safflower oil and fractions to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

Switzerland's imports of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 44 966 tonnes, a slight increase of 0.8% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 4.7%, with an average annual decline of 1.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 42 031 tonnes, which saw the largest drop of 10.9%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the largest increase of 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mozambique, Hungary, and Tanzania were the main suppliers of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions to Switzerland in volume terms. Mozambique contributed 21.1% of imports, Hungary 17.8%, and Tanzania 12.4%, together accounting for 51.2% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Switzerland's imports of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in value terms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 64 380 thousand US dollars, up 5.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 8.4%, with an average annual decrease of 2.9%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 58 976 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 16.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Hungary formed the key group of partners for Switzerland's imports of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in value terms. Mozambique accounted for 27.4% of imports, Tanzania for 14.5%, and Hungary for 12.0%, jointly representing 53.9% of total import value.

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

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