Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in Sudan

Earlier Report Observations

The Sudanese oil industry has long relied on traditional oilseeds like cottonseed, peanuts, sesame, and sunflower, with around 225 crushing mills nationwide and over 50 batch refining units with a total annual capacity of 100 thousand tonnes. Domestic production of sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil remained steady between 44 and 55 thousand tonnes annually from 2018 to 2023. However, the total market volume expanded dramatically from 86.8 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 185.2 thousand tonnes in 2020, driven primarily by a surge in imports, which rose from 42.9 to 132.7 thousand tonnes over the same period.

The market then contracted to 163.1 thousand tonnes in 2021 and further to 136.1 thousand tonnes in 2022. The sharp decline in 2022 coincided with the global sunflower oil price spike following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which increased worldwide prices by up to 58% in a single month and reduced import volumes into Sudan from 110.1 to 81.5 thousand tonnes.

By 2023, the market rebounded to 171.4 thousand tonnes as imports recovered to 117.3 thousand tonnes. The structural reliance on imported oils continued into 2024, with imports reaching 130.0 thousand tonnes, while domestic production held stable around 54 thousand tonnes and exports remained negligible.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Sudan

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

Sunflower, safflower, and cottonseed oil production in Sudan has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 55 000 tons of these oils, marking a 7.2% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 32.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 9.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sudan in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Sunflower, safflower, and cottonseed oil production in Sudan has continued its upward trend for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output of these oils was valued at 55 669 thousand US dollars, up 4.9% from the year before. Over the span from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 31%, averaging an annual growth rate of 9.4%.

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

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from Sudan

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.0 thousand tons, then surged to a peak in 2017, showing a 140-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sudan exported 2.5 thousand tons of sunflower, safflower, and cottonseed oils, representing a sharp increase of 333.0% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 99.3%, while the most substantial growth was recorded in 2019 with a 2 612.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia, Switzerland, and Eswatini were the top contributors to Sudan's exports of sunflower, safflower, and cottonseed oils in volume terms. Ethiopia accounted for 46.2% of exports, Switzerland for 18.1%, and Eswatini for 9.8%, together making up 74.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market demonstrated notable volatility over the observed years. Exports hit their lowest level in 2018 at 0.0 million US dollars and peaked in 2017, with a 137-fold difference between these two points. In 2020, Sudan's exports of these oils totaled 2.5 million US dollars, up 323.6% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 99.3%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a 2 579.6% jump.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ethiopia, Switzerland, and China led the value-based export structure for Sudan's sunflower, safflower, and cottonseed oils. Ethiopia contributed 40.0% of export value, Switzerland 23.8%, and China 9.4%, collectively representing 73.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to Sudan

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import volumes dropped to a minimum in 2018 at 42.9 thousand tons and climbed to a maximum in 2017, with a 4.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sudan imported {value_last_year} thousand tons of these oils, up 52.3% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 75.9%, while the most significant increase happened in 2019 with a 103.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Ukraine dominated Sudan's imports of sunflower, safflower, and cottonseed oils in volume terms, together accounting for 93.5% of total imports. The remaining volume was spread across various other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 47.7 million US dollars and peaked in 2017, showing a 3.5-fold difference between these periods. In 2020, foreign supplies of these oils to Sudan amounted to 102.0 million US dollars, up 72.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 71.3%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Russia and Ukraine concentrated the majority of Sudan's import value for sunflower, safflower, and cottonseed oils, while other markets played a less significant role.

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

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