Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in Pakistan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the market for sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil in Pakistan experienced a consistent contraction, with production falling from 444.8 thousand tons to 220.4 thousand tons and market size declining from 446.0 thousand tons to 226.6 thousand tons. Imports remained minimal during this period, below 1.2 thousand tons annually until 2021. The trend reversed in 2023, when production rebounded to 268.0 thousand tons and imports jumped to 13.1 thousand tons, lifting the market size to 281.1 thousand tons.

In 2024, imports continued to climb, reaching 14.9 thousand tons. This surge aligns with the country's historically strong growth in consumption of refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil, which recorded a compound annual growth rate of +4.4% from 2013 to 2024. Additionally, global supply disruptions following the 2024 Russian invasion of Ukraine, which cut worldwide sunflower oil supply by half, impacted Pakistan as a major importer, contributing to increased import volumes amid tightened international availability.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Pakistan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan ranked 13th globally in the production 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

Pakistan's production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 337.0 thousand tons, marking a significant year-on-year drop of 10.3%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 23%, with an annualized decline rate of 8.4%. The peak was in 2018 at 444.8 thousand tons, while the largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 15.5%. The highest increase was recorded in 2018 at 1.6%.

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

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from Pakistan

Exports in kind, t

The market showed notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest export volume was in 2019, while the highest was reached in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 280 times. In 2020, Pakistan exported 105 tons of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions, representing a dramatic increase of 27,891.5% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.4 tons, with the largest decline that year at 97.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Afghanistan was the primary market for Pakistan's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions, accounting for 81.5% of total exports in volume. Other destinations played a much smaller role.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was volatile during these years. Export values varied significantly, with the low in 2019 and the high in 2020 showing a 50-fold difference. In 2020, shipments from Pakistan amounted to 134.5 thousand US dollars, a sharp rise of 4,904.9% from the year before. The minimum value was in 2019 at 2.7 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 86.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Afghanistan remained the key destination for Pakistan's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in value terms, making up 77.2% of total exports. Other markets were far less significant.

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

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

Imports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to Pakistan

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes experienced noticeable fluctuations. The lowest was in 2019, while the highest was recorded in 2018, with a 4.3-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Pakistan imported 407 tons, up 46.1% from the prior year. The minimum value was in 2019 at 279 tons, and the maximum was in 2018 at 1,194 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 76.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 283.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (69.8% of import volume), Turkey (7.8%), and Saudi Arabia (6.1%) together accounted for 83.8% of total imports in volume, serving as the main sources for sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to Pakistan.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions into Pakistan increased. In 2020, imports reached 635.9 thousand US dollars, a 43.9% improvement over 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.7%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 442.1 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in 2018 at 30.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates (50.2% of import value), Saudi Arabia (13.2%), and Turkey (8.5%) were the principal sources for imports in value terms, jointly representing 72.0% of total flows.

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

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