Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The market for sunflower, safflower, and cottonseed oil in Spain expanded significantly from 2021 onwards, reaching 1 026.3 thousand tons by 2023. This growth reversed the earlier contraction, driven primarily by a sharp increase in household consumption. Demand surged as sunflower oil became more price-competitive compared to olive oil, a trend amplified by the post-pandemic recovery of the hospitality sector. Consequently, imports rose substantially to meet domestic needs, as local production covers less than half of the total demand.

Major retail chains and industry players actively shaped the market during this period. In 2022, Mercadona incorporated new suppliers for its 'Hacendado' private label, while established groups like Grupo Ybarra and Sovena España strengthened their branded offerings. This commercial activity, alongside ongoing investments in extraction capacity, supported market volume despite global pressures from the war in Ukraine, which affected prices and supply chains. The cultivation of high-oleic sunflower varieties, supported by multinationals, also provided a foundation for a more stable and value-added product segment.

A landmark regulatory shift occurred in 2024 with the approval of Spain's first comprehensive quality standard for edible vegetable oils in over forty years. The new rules, effective from 2025, authorize the production of oils from a wider range of raw materials and permit mechanical pressing methods, creating opportunities for product diversification and premium segments. This modernization of the legal framework aims to enhance competitiveness and consumer protection, setting the stage for further evolution in a market already characterized by growing demand for high-oleic oils and sustained import dependence.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain ranked as the 10th 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

Spain's production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 473.1 K t, marking a significant 10.4% drop from the previous year. Production peaked in 2018 at 541.4 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of Spain's sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions production was 535.7 M $ US, showing a slight 0.6% year-over-year rise. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 11.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 557.0 M $ US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 16.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 4.4% drop.

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

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Spain's export volume of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions was 223.1 K t, down 5.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 5.2%, with a CAGR of -1.8%. The largest increase was in 2019, at 3.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, France, and South Africa were the core markets for Spain's exports in kind, accounting for 52.8% of total flows. Portugal led with 23.3% of exports, followed by France at 22.2%, and South Africa at 7.3%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Spain's export value of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 252.6 M $ US, a modest 6.6% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 6.3%, with a CAGR of 2.1%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 233.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 1.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Portugal, France, and South Africa played leading roles in Spain's export value, jointly representing 50.7% of total flows. Portugal accounted for 22.4%, France for 22.3%, and South Africa for 6.1%.

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

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

Imports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Spain's import volume of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 606.6 K t, up 1.5% year-over-year. However, from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 22.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -8.1%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 528.7 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 32.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 13.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ukraine, France, and Moldova were the primary suppliers of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to Spain, jointly accounting for 80.2% of total imports in kind. Ukraine dominated with 68.8%, followed by France at 6.1%, and Moldova at 5.3%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Spain's import value of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 522.8 M $ US, a solid 10.9% increase from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 19.3%, with an annualized rate of -6.9%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 430.3 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 33.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, France, and Moldova remained the principal suppliers in value terms, jointly representing 78.8% of Spain's total imports. Ukraine accounted for 67.0%, France for 6.8%, and Moldova for 5.0%.

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

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