Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in Indonesia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil in Indonesia showed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023. It began at 13 224 tons in 2018, fell to 11 582 tons in 2019, then jumped to a high of 15 128 tons in 2020 before dropping sharply to 10 721 tons in 2021. Early in the period, sources highlighted the potential for developing sunflower cultivation as a strategic commodity for domestic use and export, which could underpin market activity.

The market stabilized at 10 520 tons in 2022 amid global supply disruptions. The Russian invasion of Ukraine created a worldwide shortage of sunflower seed oil, impacting Indonesia's import availability. This was compounded by Indonesia's own ban on palm oil exports in April 2022, which tightened global vegetable oil supplies. In 2023, the market volume declined further to 10 092 tons, a period when reports indicated abundant global sunflower oil supplies were placing downward pressure on prices of other vegetable oils in the domestic market. Later regulatory measures, including Minister of Trade Regulation No. 18 of 2024 and No. 43 of 2025 on packaged palm oil distribution, began to shape the broader vegetable oil landscape, while research into using sunflower oil for biodiesel and more efficient processing technologies advanced.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Indonesia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions, 2018-2021

World map of production of sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions, 2018-2021

In 2021, Indonesia produced 3 284 tonnes of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions, marking a significant 54.1% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 50.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 20.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 7 161 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 9.7% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from Indonesia

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed notable volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their peak in 2019 and dropped to their lowest point in 2021, with a dramatic 63-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Indonesia exported 46 tonnes of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions, representing a sharp 75.3% decline compared to the prior year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 872 tonnes. The most substantial decrease occurred in 2020 with a drop of 93.6%, while the largest increase was seen in 2019, surging by 1 243.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Malaysia dominated Indonesia's exports in kind, accounting for 81.5% of the total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values peaked in 2019 and hit their lowest in 2021, with a 13.9-fold gap between these years. In 2021, the value of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions exported from Indonesia totaled 93 thousand US dollars, down by 64.4% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 298 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2020 with a decrease of 79.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019, jumping by 517.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Indonesia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the principal destinations for Indonesia's exports in value terms were Malaysia, accounting for 54.4% of exports, Japan with 24.8%, and Myanmar at 16.7%. Together, these three countries represented 95.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Indonesia in value, 2018-2021

Imports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to Indonesia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Indonesia's import volume of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions declined. In 2021, imports amounted to 7 482 tonnes, reflecting an 8.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 10%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 3.2%. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2020 at 8 152 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2019 at 16.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the primary suppliers of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to Indonesia in kind were Malaysia, contributing 40.2% of imports, France with 29.0%, and Ukraine at 10.6%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 79.8% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign supplies of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to Indonesia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 13 389 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial uptick of 35.8% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 64.3%, equating to an average annual rate of 18.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Indonesia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In the period from 2018 to 2021, the main sources in the geographical breakdown of imports in value terms were Malaysia, representing 39.3% of imports, France with 28.3%, and Ukraine at 8.2%. Together, these three destinations accounted for 75.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Indonesia in value, 2018-2021