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

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Northern American market for sunflower, safflower, and cottonseed oil and fractions fluctuated, with volume declining to 464 thousand tons in 2019 before recovering to 488 thousand tons in 2020.

Market volume dropped to 450 thousand tons in 2021, influenced by an 18% surge in global sunflower oil export prices that raised costs and tempered consumption. The following year, volume jumped to a peak of 513 thousand tons, driven by record consumer demand and supply chain disruptions from geopolitical conflicts in key sunflower-growing regions, which spurred a sharp rise in imports to meet domestic needs.

In 2023, market volume fell to 441 thousand tons as consumption stabilized after the 2022 high and export flows shifted. Moving into 2024, production increased by 6.4%, imports grew 16%, and exports dropped 33.7%, with market dynamics influenced by the expiration of the US blenders tax credit and changing global trade conditions.

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

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

Following a two-year decline, Northern America's production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions has rebounded. In 2020, the region produced 461.8 thousand tons, marking a 1.6% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 10.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.6%. The lowest output was recorded in 2019 at 454.4 thousand tons, with the steepest drop of 8.3% occurring that same year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After a two-year downturn, the value of Northern America's production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions has risen. In 2020, the output was valued at 445.3 million US dollars, reflecting a 12.7% improvement over the previous year. Despite this recent gain, production value decreased by 18.7% between 2017 and 2020, averaging a 6.7% annualized decline. The lowest value was 395.3 million US dollars in 2019, while the largest decline of 18.5% took place in 2018.

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

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

Exports in kind, t

Northern America exported 2 799 tons of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in 2020, representing a significant 56.6% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 49.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 788 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 27.5% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export destinations for sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from Northern America were highly diversified. Kenya accounted for 6.7% of exports in kind, Singapore for 6.6%, and the United Arab Emirates for 4.9%. Together, these three countries made up just 18.3% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. In 2020, the value of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions exported from Northern America totaled 2 699 thousand US dollars, a sharp 73.5% year-over-year increase. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 555 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 30.0%. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2019 was 1.7-fold.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the buyer portfolio for sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from Northern America was broad. Singapore contributed 2.5% of exports in value terms, Kenya 1.6%, and the United Arab Emirates 1.1%. Combined, these three countries represented only 5.2% of total export value, while numerous other nations held smaller but still notable shares.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. In 2020, Northern America imported 28 904 tons of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions, a dramatic 147.6% surge compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 11 637 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 59.3%. Imports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions were imported into Northern America from a wide range of sources. Ukraine supplied 15.3% of imports in kind, Spain 6.6%, and the Netherlands 2.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for only 24.3% of total imports, with the remaining 75.7% coming from many smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Northern America's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value reached 73 379 thousand US dollars, a sudden 53.9% gain versus the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 82.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ukraine, Spain, and the Netherlands played notable but not dominant roles as suppliers of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to Northern America. Ukraine accounted for 11.5% of imports in value terms, Spain for 6.6%, and the Netherlands for 4.5%. Their combined share reached only 22.6% of total import value.

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

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