Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil in Western Europe changed significantly between 2018 and 2023. It started at 1 141 thousand tons in 2018, surged to 1 901 thousand tons in 2019, then fell to 1 649 thousand tons in 2020. A recovery to 1 847 thousand tons followed in 2021, but the market contracted to 1 444 thousand tons in 2022 and dropped sharply to 920 thousand tons in 2023.

Domestic production of these oils declined from 1 123 thousand tons in 2018 to a low of 863 thousand tons in 2021, before partially recovering to 1 040 thousand tons in 2023. Imports more than doubled from 1 051 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 989 thousand tons in 2019, then stabilized around 1 500–1 600 thousand tons through 2022, before falling to 1 345 thousand tons in 2023. Exports varied, reaching a low of 554 thousand tons in 2021 and a high of 1 466 thousand tons in 2023.

For 2024, trade data shows imports of 2 521 thousand tons and exports of 1 428 thousand tons. In Germany, production of vegetable oils reached a record high since reunification, attributed to a larger sunflower harvest in 2023 and changing consumer behavior due to lower prices. Global market innovation also advanced, with developments in enriched organic sunflower oils indicating new product segments.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K 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

In Western Europe, production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 915 K t, marking a 5.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 2.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 0.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 123 K t. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 13.9% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 with a 19.9% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions produced in Western Europe stood at 3 184 M $ US, reflecting a moderate increase of 5.4% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 14%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.5%. The most notable decline was in 2019 at 4.4%, whereas the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 13.1% jump.

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

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Western Europe exported 804 K t of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in 2020, down by 23.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 24.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.8%. The largest increase during this time was in 2019, with a 2.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Europe's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in kind were distributed across a wide range of partners. The top three destinations—the United Kingdom (13.5% of exports in kind), Spain (3.9%), and the United States (2.1%)—collectively accounted for only 19.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions exported from Western Europe reached 1 617 M $ US, showing a significant increase of 19.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 20.7%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 6.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 1.7% drop.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Western Europe's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in value terms were spread across numerous markets. Even the largest recipients—the United Kingdom, Spain, and the United States—together made up just 19.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 1 051 K t and peaked in 2019 at 1 989 K t, resulting in a 1.9-fold variation between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments into Western Europe totaled 1 538 K t, representing a 22.7% decrease year-over-year. The most substantial decline was in 2018 at 29.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019 with an 89.2% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for imports in kind remained fragmented. The top three sources—Ukraine (34.8% of imports in kind), Hungary (11.3%), and Spain (3.2%)—together accounted for only 49.3% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign supplies of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to Western Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 2 214 M $ US, up 22.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 31.9%, averaging an annual increase of 9.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 620 M $ US, with the largest decline that year at 3.5%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions imported into Western Europe came from a broad set of markets. The leading suppliers—Ukraine (30.0% of imports in value terms), Hungary (10.7%), and Spain (3.6%)—together represented only 44.3% of total import value, while many smaller destinations made up the remaining 55.7%.

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

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