Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian market for sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil expanded from 303 thousand tons in 2018 to 362 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was underpinned by a 3% rise in household consumption of sunflower oil in 2018, supported by long-term partnerships between local processors and Romanian farmers that ensured a stable domestic supply. While export flows to regional markets such as Russia and Ukraine influenced trade patterns, internal demand remained steady. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to decreased turnover and profit for some sunflower oil producers; nonetheless, the market volume continued its upward trend.

Market size then declined to 300 thousand tons in 2021. The following year, it surged by 34% to 404 thousand tons. This sharp increase was driven by massive imports of low-priced sunflower seeds from Ukraine, which enabled local crushers, including market leader Bunge România, to significantly ramp up processing capacity and report substantial sales and profit growth. In 2022, Romania became the EU's largest producer of sunflower seeds, with sunflower oil accounting for 86% of the market by value.

In 2023, the market contracted sharply to 245 thousand tons as exports rose while both imports and production fell.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania ranked as the 11th largest global producer 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

Romania's production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions grew for two consecutive years before declining in 2020. That year, output reached 497.2 thousand tonnes, marking a modest decrease of 6.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, production rose by 13.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The peak was in 2019 at 533.3 thousand tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 17.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of Romania's sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions production increased for two years before falling in 2020. In that year, production was valued at 449.1 million US dollars, showing a slight reduction of 0.6% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the value grew by 21.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 451.6 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase in 2018 at 14.2%.

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

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

Romania's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions by volume declined for the second year in a row in 2020. Exports stood at 190.6 thousand tonnes, reflecting a significant drop of 17.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, export volumes increased by 13.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The peak was in 2018 at 233.9 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 39.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions by volume were distributed across a broad range of partner countries. The top three destinations—Spain (19.5% of export volume), Italy (15.6%), and South Africa (14.7%)—together accounted for 49.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of Romania's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions declined in 2020. Exports totaled 172.1 million US dollars that year, down 12.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 21.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.6%. The highest value was in 2019 at 196.5 million US dollars, and the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 35.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions by value were highly diversified geographically. Italy and Spain each accounted for 17.0% of export value, while South Africa made up 13.1%. Together, these three countries represented 47.1% of total flows, with the remaining 52.9% spread across numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Imports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions into Romania showed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. The lowest point was in 2018 at 22.3 thousand tonnes, followed by a peak in 2020 at 54.9 thousand tonnes—a 2.5-fold increase. In 2020, imports surged by 96.2% compared to the previous year. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2018 at 30.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary (30.0% of import volume), Moldova (20.2%), and Bulgaria (19.5%) were the leading sources for Romania's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions by volume. Together, they accounted for 69.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of Romania's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions experienced noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest point was in 2018 at 22.0 million US dollars, rising to a peak in 2020 at 50.9 million US dollars—a 2.3-fold increase. In 2020, import value jumped by 114.8% year-over-year. The largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 32.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Netherlands were the key markets for Romania's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions by value, together representing 63.9% of total flows.

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

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