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

Earlier Report Observations

The market for sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil in Northern Europe expanded significantly in 2019, reaching a volume of 472.8 thousand tons. Following this peak, consumption entered a sustained downward trend, contracting to 301.3 thousand tons by 2023, which represented a decline of over one-third from the high point. This reduction in overall market size coincided with a gradual decrease in import volumes after 2019 and a fall in export volumes through 2021.

Domestic production fluctuated between 11.3 and 14.5 thousand tons annually, indicating a market primarily supplied by imports. The import reliance shifted notably, with imports falling to 321.1 thousand tons in 2023 before a partial recovery to 443.3 thousand tons in 2024. Concurrently, exports saw a sharp increase in 2024, rising to 88.7 thousand tons, their highest level in the observed period.

By 2024, the market context was influenced by growing consumer demand for cold-pressed and minimally processed oils, driven by health considerations. Preferences shifted towards oils perceived as healthier, with discussions focusing on moderate intake of omega-6 fatty acids found in seed oils. Furthermore, global factors such as energy market developments continued to indirectly affect production costs and supply chain logistics for vegetable oils.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, 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

Northern Europe's production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 13 411 tonnes, marking a modest 8.7% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 9.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 11 373 tonnes, which also saw the sharpest decline of 23.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Northern Europe's production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions has grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 19 145 thousand US dollars, representing an 8.7% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 13.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 14 031 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 16.8%. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase of 25.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Europe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

Exports in kind, K t

Foreign supplies of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from Northern Europe have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports stood at 33.4 thousand tonnes, down by 0.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 40.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, Poland, and the Netherlands were the top buyers of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from Northern Europe, accounting for 18.6%, 15.0%, and 13.7% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share was only 47.3% of total exports, indicating a diversified country structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exported volumes of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from Northern Europe have fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 47.7 million US dollars, showing a slight drop of 0.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 24.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 9.1%.

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

The partner structure for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 remained fragmented. Belgium, the Netherlands, and Poland accounted for 16.4%, 14.3%, and 11.9% of exports in value terms, respectively, but together they made up only 42.6% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern Europe's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions reached 480.8 thousand tonnes, a small decline of 2.7% compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 445.7 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 6.2%. In contrast, 2019 had the highest volume at 494.1 thousand tonnes, with the biggest increase of 10.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, France, and the Netherlands led the imports in kind of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to Northern Europe, with shares of 28.6%, 22.3%, and 22.0%, respectively. Together, they represented 72.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Deliveries of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to Northern Europe have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 475.8 million US dollars, marking a small advance of 1.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 5.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 430.5 million US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 4.4%. In 2019, the largest increase was 8.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ukraine, France, and the Netherlands were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of imports in value terms for sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to Northern Europe, accounting for 25.6%, 22.2%, and 21.0% of imports in value terms, respectively. Their combined share was 68.9% of total flows.

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

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