Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in Paraguay

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in Paraguay contracted from 35 189 t in 2018 to 20 859 t in 2022, before partially recovering to 23 941 t in 2023. The decline was most pronounced between 2019 and 2021, reducing the overall market size by over a third across those years.

During 2022, the sunflower sector saw a rise in the crop's use for floral arrangements and social event decoration, which may have diverted some produce from oil processing. Paraguay also solidified its position as a significant exporter of oilseeds, including sunflower seeds, with overseas shipments valued at US$114 million that year, underscoring a strong export orientation for raw materials.

The regulatory landscape for seeds and agricultural inputs evolved with SENAVE enforcing quality controls under Law No. 385 on Seeds and Cultivar Protection. Law No. 3742 further regulated phytosanitary products for sunflower farming. Regionally, Paraguay emerged as a key destination for refined sunflower oil in small packages from Argentina, reflecting active trade and demand within the Southern Cone.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Paraguay

In kind, 2018-2021, t

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

After two years of decline, Paraguay's production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions rebounded in 2021. That year, output reached 14 800 tonnes, marking a 3.5% increase from 2020. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 24.1%, with an average annual decline of 8.8%. The lowest point was in 2020, when production dropped to 14 300 tonnes, representing the steepest decrease of 15.4% during this timeframe.

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

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from Paraguay

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed significant fluctuations over the period. The lowest export volume occurred in 2018, while the peak was in 2020, with a 12.6-fold difference between these extremes. In 2021, Paraguay's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions amounted to 920 tonnes, a sharp decline of 76.2% from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 3 868 tonnes, and the largest increase happened in 2019, surging by 475.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico, the United States, and Brazil were the primary destinations for Paraguay's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in kind. Mexico accounted for 40.5% of exports, the United States for 26.5%, and Brazil for 21.7%, together making up 88.7% of the total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export values varied widely, with the low in 2018 and the high in 2020 showing an 11.6-fold difference. In 2021, the export value of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from Paraguay reached 1 142 thousand US dollars, a drop of 61.5% compared to 2020. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 2 966 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 405.4%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Mexico, the United States, and Brazil led as the top buyers of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from Paraguay in value terms. Mexico held a 35.9% share of exports, the United States 33.7%, and Brazil 20.9%, collectively accounting for 90.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to Paraguay

Imports in kind, t

Paraguay's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, import volume stood at 7 682 tonnes, a decrease of 51.5% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 52%, with an average annual decline of 21.7%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 19 394 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 21.2%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Argentina was the nearly exclusive supplier of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to Paraguay, representing 96.9% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to Paraguay decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Paraguay imported a total of 12 702 thousand US dollars worth of these products, down 27.9% from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports dropped by 33.1%, with an average annual decline of 12.5%. The peak import value was in 2019 at 21 686 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 14.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, imports in value terms of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to Paraguay were highly concentrated on Argentina, which accounted for 97.9% of total flows.

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

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