Sunflower or safflower oil and fractions market in Western Asia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, sunflower oil production in Turkey increased from 1 062 thousand tons to 1 224 thousand tons, supported by government incentives for sunflower cultivation on irrigated lands and the modernization of processing facilities, such as Helvacızade's 20 000-ton capacity plant. Market size grew over this period, reaching 2 711 thousand tons in 2020, fueled by healthy eating trends that boosted demand for high-oleic sunflower oil. However, production fell sharply to 1 012 thousand tons in 2021 and remained below 1 000 thousand tons in 2022-2023, as high production costs and global raw material price increases made domestic output less competitive.

Imports of sunflower oil rose consistently, from 1 651 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 752 thousand tons in 2023, reaching 2 856 thousand tons in 2024, with a notable surge after 2022 when Turkey eliminated import duties on sunflower oil and other vegetable oils to mitigate supply disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine war. Exports also expanded significantly, jumping from 251 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 005 thousand tons in 2023, though they fell to 786 thousand tons in 2024, as producers invested in capacity and technology to access new foreign markets and maintain Turkey's leading export role.

The market underwent structural changes, including the acquisition of brands like Yudum by Tiryaki Agro in 2023, which consolidated competitive positions. New regulations on waste oil management came into effect, increasing the use of recycled oil in production. Throughout the period, dependency on imported raw materials persisted due to insufficient domestic oilseed planning, keeping the market sensitive to global price fluctuations and exchange rate movements.

Production sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in Western 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

Sunflower or safflower oil and fractions production in Western Asia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 1 224 K t, marking a 4.3% rise from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 23.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports sunflower or safflower oil and fractions from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The export market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 251 K t, with the largest decline of 59.9% recorded that year. By 2020, exports surged to 708 K t, representing a sharp increase of 115.2% compared to the previous year. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 2.8 between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the largest group of buyers for sunflower or safflower oil and fractions from Western Asia included Djibouti (13.0% of exports in kind), Libya (3.8%), and Somalia (2.7%). However, their combined share was limited to 19.6% of total exports in kind, indicating a highly diversified export structure across many countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Western Asia's sunflower or safflower oil and fractions export value has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 851 M $ US, up 44.4% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 558 M $ US, with the largest decline of 21.8% occurring that year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 19.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The export structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a diversified set of trading partners. Djibouti (12.4% of exports in value terms), Libya (3.9%), and Somalia (2.6%) together accounted for only 18.9% of total flows. The remaining 81.1% was distributed among numerous smaller markets, highlighting the broad spread of export destinations.

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

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

Imports sunflower or safflower oil and fractions to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Western Asia's sunflower or safflower oil and fractions import volume has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 194 K t, a 16.9% increase from the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 50.8%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 14.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Ukraine, Russia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina—collectively accounted for 74.2% of total imports in kind of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions to Western Asia.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, sunflower or safflower oil and fractions imports to Western Asia rebounded. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 503 M $ US, with the largest drop of 16.5% recorded in 2018. In 2020, imports climbed to 1 941 M $ US, a 29.1% increase compared to the previous year. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 3.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Russia (35.9% of imports in value terms), Ukraine (31.9%), and Bosnia and Herzegovina (4.0%) formed the primary group of partners for imports in value terms of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions to Western Asia. Together, they represented 71.7% of total import flows.

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

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