Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the Canadian market for sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil exhibited notable fluctuations, with total volume declining to 56 485 metric tons in 2019 before a sharp recovery to 74 913 metric tons in 2020. Growth continued, peaking at 92 232 metric tons in 2022 before settling at 87 647 metric tons in 2023. Domestic production mirrored this volatility, falling to 20 400 metric tons in 2019 and then rising steadily to 32 600 metric tons by 2023. A key backdrop during this period was increasing consumer awareness of trans-fatty acids' health impacts, which spurred food manufacturers to formulate products with healthier oils like high-oleic sunflower oil, supporting long-term demand fundamentals.

The regulatory landscape saw significant updates in 2024. Health Canada issued a no-objection for the food use of NuSunTM mid-oleic sunflower oil, while amendments to the Canada Grain Regulations reclassified safflower and sunflower seeds as grain, altering their market access. Labelling rules were also updated to permit the use of specific names such as 'high-oleic sunflower oil' to characterize fatty acid content, facilitating clearer product differentiation. Concurrently, the government initiated a review to modernize the Seeds Regulations, which could affect seed sales, import, and export.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

Canada's production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions rebounded after two years of decline. In 2019, output hit its lowest point at 20,400 tonnes, marking a 14.3% drop from the previous year. However, production recovered in 2020, reaching 23,200 tonnes—a 13.7% increase over 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, overall production fell by 10.8%, averaging an annual decline of 3.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions production in Canada rose for the second straight year. In 2018, it bottomed out at 35,342 thousand US dollars, with a sharp 35.6% decrease. The following year saw a modest 0.6% uptick, and in 2020, output was valued at 35,619 thousand US dollars, remaining nearly unchanged from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 35.1%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 13.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from Canada

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant volatility, reflecting an unstable market. In 2019, exports fell to their minimum of 893 tonnes, a 40.3% decrease. The following year, they surged to 1,758 tonnes—a 96.9% jump from 2019. Between these years, exports varied by a factor of two, with 2020 marking the peak and 2019 the trough.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Kenya, and Singapore were the top destinations for Canada's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in volume terms. The United States accounted for 55.2% of exports, Kenya for 6.7%, and Singapore for 6.6%, together making up 68.5% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values exhibited irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market. In 2019, they reached their lowest point at 1,555 thousand US dollars, down 30.0% from the previous year. By 2020, exports had climbed to 2,699 thousand US dollars, a sharp 73.5% increase over 2019. Over this period, values varied by a factor of 1.7, with 2020 as the high and 2019 as the low.

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

During 2017–2020, the United States dominated Canada's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in value terms, holding an 88.0% share of total flows. The remaining exports were distributed among other partners.

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

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

Imports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to Canada

Imports in kind, t

Imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions into Canada grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 53,472 tonnes, a sudden 44.6% gain from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, import volumes increased by 635.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 94.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the primary supplier of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to Canada in volume terms, accounting for 70.3% of total imports. Other partners held relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of imported sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions into Canada rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled approximately 73,339 thousand US dollars, a steep 54.0% advance from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import values increased by 82.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 22.2%.

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

In 2017–2020, the United States accounted for the bulk of Canada's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in value terms, taking 71.8% of total flows. The remainder was spread across a fragmented group of other markets.

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

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