Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The Central American market for sunflower, safflower, and cottonseed oil contracted from 143 534 tons in 2018 to 99 258 tons in 2020, with production holding steady while imports began to decline. During this period, Mexican federal entities such as Mexico City emerged as notable exporters of crude oils, indicating state-linked activity influencing regional trade flows.

Market volume continued to shrink through 2022, reaching 88 065 tons. The Russia-Ukraine war from early 2022 disrupted global sunflower oil supply chains and heightened price uncertainty, which constrained import availability and contributed to the market's contraction in Central America.

A recovery emerged in 2023, with market volume jumping 20% to 105 611 tons. By 2024, key Mexican exporting states—Jalisco, Michoacán, and Mexico City—concentrated production, and the recovery of Argentina's biodiesel industry boosted demand for vegetable oils, supporting regional market activity.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Central America

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

Central America's production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions saw a decline after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 86 754 tons, but by 2020 it had fallen slightly to 84 813 tons, marking a 2.2% decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, production overall increased by 20.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4%. The most significant year-on-year rise occurred in 2018, when production jumped by 18.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

For the second year in a row, Central America's production value of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions declined. In 2018, the value peaked at 95 851 thousand US dollars, but it dropped sharply by 22.8% in 2019. By 2020, the value had fallen further to 73 136 thousand US dollars, down 1.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, the total decrease was 9.1%, with an average annual decline of 3.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 19.1%.

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

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from Central America

Exports in kind, t

The export market for sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from Central America showed considerable volatility in recent years. In 2017, exports hit their lowest point, but by 2019 they surged to a peak of 35 283 tons, representing an extraordinary increase of 1,370.3%. However, in 2020, exports declined to 33 305 tons, a 5.6% drop from 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2019, exports varied by a factor of 14.8 between the minimum and maximum levels.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the dominant destination for Central America's exports in volume terms, accounting for 78.0% of the total. The remaining 22.0% was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from Central America exhibited irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market. In 2017, values were at their minimum, but they peaked in 2019 at 30 100 thousand US dollars, a staggering 996.3% increase. By 2020, values had decreased to 28 719 thousand US dollars, down 4.6% from the previous year. The ratio between the 2019 peak and the 2017 low was 11.1 times.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States remained the leading destination for Central America's exports in value terms, holding a 73.4% share. The rest of the exports were fragmented across other markets.

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

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

Imports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to Central America

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Central America's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions declined. In 2018, imports rose sharply by 51.3%, reaching a peak of 62 903 tons in 2019. However, by 2020, imports had fallen substantially to 47 750 tons, a 24.1% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 timeframe, imports increased by 16.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Argentina, and Ukraine were the top sources for Central America's imports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 51.2% of imports, Argentina for 25.2%, and Ukraine for 11.1%. Together, these three countries made up 87.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

For the second consecutive year, Central America's import value of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions declined. In 2018, the value peaked at 63 342 thousand US dollars, with a 43.7% increase that year. By 2020, the value had dropped to 49 689 thousand US dollars, a significant 16.9% fall from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 12.7%, with an average annual rate of 4.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Argentina, and Ukraine were the largest contributors to Central America's imports in value terms. The United States held a 52.0% share, Argentina 22.8%, and Ukraine 9.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 84.3% of total import flows.

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

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