Sunflower-seed oilcake market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the German sunflower-seed oilcake market experienced notable fluctuations. Market volume rose from 388.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 460.1 thousand tons in 2019, then eased to 450.0 thousand tons in 2020. A sharp contraction followed in 2021, with volume dropping to 377.2 thousand tons.

The market rebounded and grew consistently from 2022 onward. The Russia-Ukraine war in 2022 triggered global sunflower oil supply tensions, directly impacting Germany which sources over 25% of its sunflower oil imports from Ukraine. This disruption prompted increased import activity, helping lift oilcake market volume to 446.4 thousand tons that year. Subsequent growth to 480.5 thousand tons in 2023 and 516.6 thousand tons in 2024 was underpinned by continued import dependence and shifting consumer preferences toward sustainable and bio-based feed ingredients. Broader factors, including the stabilization of sunflower production in Ukraine and weather conditions, further influenced the availability of this by-product.

Production sunflower-seed oilcake in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Germany's sunflower-seed oilcake production declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 11 443 K $ US, but then fell by 23.0% to 8 815 K $ US in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 6.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, at 28.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany ranked 19th globally in sunflower-seed oilcake production.

Top producers of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2017-2020

Germany's sunflower-seed oilcake production declined following two years of increases. In 2019, output peaked at 123.8 K t, but then dropped by 17.0% to 102.7 K t in 2020. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 10.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.4%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018, at 21.2%.

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

Exports sunflower-seed oilcake from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017, then climbed to a maximum of 121.6 K t in 2018, representing a 1.8-fold increase. In 2020, exports amounted to 115.2 K t, up 15.2% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 17.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 84.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Czechia, and Denmark were the top destinations for Germany's sunflower-seed oilcake exports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 51.8% of exports, Czechia for 12.0%, and Denmark for 10.3%, together making up 74.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017, then rose to a peak of 37.9 M $ US in 2018, a 2.9-fold increase. In 2020, exports totaled 32.9 M $ US, marking a steep 35.5% year-on-year rise. The largest decline was in 2019, at 35.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 185.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands, Czechia, and Norway remained Germany's main markets for sunflower-seed oilcake exports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 36.2% of export value, Czechia for 16.6%, and Norway for 13.3%, together comprising 66.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sunflower-seed oilcake to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's sunflower-seed oilcake imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 462.6 K t, up 6.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 14.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018, at 397.7 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 1.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Hungary, and Czechia consistently led as the top sources for Germany's sunflower-seed oilcake imports in volume terms. Russia accounted for 29.7% of imports, Hungary for 25.0%, and Czechia for 12.9%, together making up 67.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's sunflower-seed oilcake imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 121.7 M $ US, up 5.1% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 25.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Hungary, and Czechia were the main suppliers of sunflower-seed oilcake to Germany in value terms. Russia accounted for 26.2% of import value, Hungary for 25.3%, and Czechia for 11.5%, together comprising 62.9% of total imports.

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

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