Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The market for sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil in the MENA region grew from 2 426 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 2 546 thousand tons in 2020, before entering a sustained downward trend that brought volumes to 1 981 thousand tons by 2023. The initial growth period was followed by a significant contraction starting in 2021.

The market decline in 2021 coincided with the strategic expansion of major players like Bunge Loders Croklaan, which entered the market with an increased supply of organic oils. In 2022, supply constraints emerged due to weather-related risks and climate impacts in key sunflower seed producing regions, notably Ukraine and Russia, which affected raw material availability for the import-dependent MENA market and contributed to a period of stabilization.

The downward movement continued through 2023. By 2024, the market environment was shaped by global factors including a stabilized world sunflower seed harvest, sustained high price pressures linked to geopolitical conflict, and the ongoing expansion of international agribusinesses within the region.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K 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

Production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in the MENA region declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 149.4 K t, marking a gradual decrease of 4.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 16.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.0%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 181.5 K t. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 13.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 1.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions production in the MENA region fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 712 M $ US, representing a decline of 25.9% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 21.4%, equating to an annualized rate of -7.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 131 M $ US. The largest increase in value occurred in 2018, with a rise of 24.8%.

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

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, cross-border shipments of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from the MENA region totaled 103 K t, showing a significant decline of 21.0% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 30.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.3%. The largest increase in exports was recorded in 2019, at 9.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in kind of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from the MENA region were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Ethiopia accounted for 4.0% of exports in kind, Afghanistan for 2.3%, and Rwanda for 2.0%, together making up just 8.2% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign supplies of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from the MENA region increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 202 M $ US worth of these products, which is 12.6% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 16.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 173 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 0.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for exports in value terms was diverse. Ethiopia accounted for 3.1% of exports in value terms, Afghanistan for 3.1%, and Rwanda for 1.6%, together forming only 7.8% of total flows. The remaining 92.2% was supplied to or from many other countries.

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

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

Imports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

Foreign supplies of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to the MENA region increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 499 K t, corresponding to an uptick of 3.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 8.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey formed the core group of markets for imports in kind of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to the MENA region. Ukraine accounted for 31.3% of imports in kind, Russia for 25.6%, and Turkey for 21.8%, together representing 78.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, deliveries of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to the MENA region stood at 2 247 M $ US, which is 14.4% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 8.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 963 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey formed the key group of partners for imports in value terms of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to the MENA region. Ukraine accounted for 29.0% of imports in value terms, Russia for 24.6%, and Turkey for 23.4%, jointly representing 77.1% of total flows.

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

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