Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Italy fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2023. It started at 739 000 t in 2018, climbed to a peak of 794 000 t in 2019, then contracted to 703 000 t in 2020 and 679 000 t in 2021, before recovering to 765 000 t in 2022 and stabilizing at 775 000 t in 2023.

The rise in 2019 coincided with growing Italian consumer interest in cold-pressed organic sunflower oils produced without chemicals or GMOs, which supported demand for higher-quality products. The market rebound in 2022 was primarily driven by persistently tight supply of sunflower oil from the Black Sea region, which limited seed availability and kept crushing margins high in Italy. This supply constraint, combined with robust consumption of edible oils and biofuel blending mandates, sustained physical demand and contributed to higher prices and volume growth.

In 2024, industry reports noted an expansion of sunflower cultivation area in Italy, supported by sectoral measures to improve crop profitability and preserve local production. Retail sales, however, showed mixed trends due to shifting consumer preferences and competition from other vegetable oils.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy ranked as the 21st largest global producer of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions.

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

Following two years of growth, Italy's production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions declined. In 2020, output reached 166.8 K t, marking a moderate decrease of 6.7% from 2019. Production peaked in 2019 at 178.8 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of expansion, Italy's production value for sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions fell. In 2020, the output was valued at 214.6 M $ US, reflecting a controlled drop of 6.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value rose by 3.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 230.4 M $ US, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 9.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, shipments totaled 54.9 K t, representing a moderate gain of 9.0% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 22%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 41.5 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 7.7%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 21.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, France, and Germany were the primary buyers of Italy's sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in volume terms. Greece accounted for 27.5% of exports, France for 14.2%, and Germany for 10.7%, together making up 52.4% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Italy's export value for sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 70.6 M $ US, an 8.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 25%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 54.7 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 3.2%. The biggest increase happened in 2019 at 18.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Greece, and Germany were the largest buyers of Italy's sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in value terms, though not dominant. France represented 16.0% of export value, Greece 14.1%, and Germany 10.6%, collectively accounting for 40.7% of total export value amid a diverse range of smaller partners.

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

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

Imports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Italy's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions decreased. In 2020, imports reached 591.5 K t, corresponding to an 11.1% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume rose by 7.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 665.2 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 10.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Ukraine, Hungary, and Moldova were the main sources for Italy's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in volume terms. Ukraine supplied 57.6% of imports, Hungary 17.1%, and Moldova 5.7%, together comprising 80.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of increase, Italy's import value for sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions declined. In 2020, imports totaled 507.7 M $ US, which is 3.6% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 7.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 526.5 M $ US, and the largest annual increase happened in 2018 at 8.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Hungary, and Moldova formed the key group of partners for Italy's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in value terms. Ukraine accounted for 55.2% of import value, Hungary for 17.5%, and Moldova for 5.2%, jointly representing 77.8% of total import flows.

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

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