Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in Mexico

Earlier Report Observations

The Mexican market for sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions stood at 120,938 t in 2018. That year, the new Mexican standard NMX-F-809-SCFI-2018 came into force, establishing specifications for pure edible sunflower oil, which standardized quality and labeling. Government initiatives to promote high-oleic sunflower cultivation in states like Guanajuato and Morelos, alongside crop rotation toward drought-resistant sunflower due to phytosanitary issues in traditional crops, supported domestic production growth. However, the market volume fell to 90,494 t in 2019, partially due to substantial exports of 32,825 t, even as the application of the new standard continued and domestic production increased to address the national oilseed deficit.

Market volume declined further to 77,829 t in 2020, followed by stabilization around 78,000 t in 2021 and 2022. In 2022, the war in Ukraine directly caused a global shortage and price surge for sunflower oil, impacting Mexico due to its heavy import reliance. Temporary measures facilitated labeling changes for food products to allow substitution with other oils. Concurrently, growing consumer preference for healthier oils, such as high-oleic sunflower oil, supported market demand.

A significant rebound occurred in 2023, with market volume rising 30% to 101,686 t, driven by a sharp increase in imports. The ongoing war in Ukraine continued to affect supply chains and prices. The trend of replacing hydrogenated and palm oils with high-oleic sunflower oil for health and regulatory reasons further stimulated consumption, while contract farming for sunflower helped maintain domestic supply stability.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Mexico

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Mexico ranked as the 29th largest global producer of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions.

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

Mexico's production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions fell for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 66 263 tonnes, which was 21.0% lower than the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production dropped by 20%, averaging a 7.2% annual decline. The highest output was in 2019 at 85 704 tonnes, with that year also seeing the biggest increase of 3.4%.

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

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from Mexico

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Mexico exported 29 963 tonnes of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions, marking a moderate 8.7% decrease from the year before.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States dominated Mexico's exports in volume, accounting for 89.5% of the total, while a range of smaller markets made up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Mexico's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions were valued at 24 963 thousand US dollars, down 9.0% compared to 2019.

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

During 2018-2021, the United States represented 89.6% of Mexico's export value for these oils, with the rest spread across various other countries.

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

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

Imports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to Mexico

Imports in kind, t

Mexico's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions fell for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 12 197 tonnes, a sharp 49.0% drop from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 span, imports plunged by 68%, with an average annual decline of 31.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was nearly the sole supplier of these oils to Mexico, capturing 90.4% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Mexico's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, import value stood at 17 239 thousand US dollars, down 29.8% from the previous year. Across the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 56.5%, averaging a 24.2% annual decrease.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, the United States and Spain were the main suppliers of these oils to Mexico in value terms, together accounting for 99.5% of total imports.

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

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