Sunflower-seed oilcake market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Greek sunflower-seed oilcake market expanded, with production rising from 11 156 thousand US dollars to 14 160 thousand US dollars. This growth coincided with advances in solvent extraction technology that increased oil yields, boosting processing efficiency. Stricter food safety and labeling regulations in key export markets likely contributed to a sharp drop in exports from 6 569 thousand US dollars in 2018 to 2 270 thousand US dollars in 2019, while imports also declined over this period.

From 2021 onwards, import values fluctuated significantly, peaking at 23 341 thousand US dollars in 2021 before declining to 14 655 thousand US dollars by 2024. Export values remained relatively low. In 2024, global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions affected raw material availability and pricing, influencing import levels, while growing consumer demand for organic and non-GMO sunflower seeds drove product diversification.

Production sunflower-seed oilcake in Greece

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Greece's sunflower-seed oilcake production has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 14 160 thousand US dollars, marking a 24.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 82.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 22.3%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Greece ranked as the 28th largest producer of sunflower-seed oilcake globally.

Top producers of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2017-2020

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

Following two years of growth, Greece's sunflower-seed oilcake production experienced a slight decline. In 2020, the country produced 62 163 tonnes, representing a modest 0.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production increased by 38.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.5%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 62 637 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 with a 33.9% rise.

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

Exports sunflower-seed oilcake from Greece

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 11 643 tonnes and peaked in 2018 at 33 928 tonnes, resulting in a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, sunflower-seed oilcake exports from Greece amounted to 18 396 tonnes, showing a significant 58.0% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 65.7% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Ireland, and the United Kingdom remained the top buyers of sunflower-seed oilcake from Greece, accounting for 34.4%, 14.4%, and 14.0% of exports in volume, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 62.8% of Greece's total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Exports reached their minimum value in 2019 at 2 270 thousand US dollars and their maximum in 2018 at 6 569 thousand US dollars, creating a 2.9-fold variation. In 2020, Greece exported sunflower-seed oilcake worth 3 951 thousand US dollars, which is 74.1% higher than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 65.4% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 76.7% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, Turkey, Ireland, and Cyprus were the primary buyers of sunflower-seed oilcake from Greece in value terms, representing 38.2%, 14.5%, and 11.7% of exports, respectively. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 64.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sunflower-seed oilcake to Greece

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Greece's sunflower-seed oilcake imports reached 58 123 tonnes, an 8.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 53 438 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 59 327 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 9.9% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Russia were the main suppliers of sunflower-seed oilcake to Greece, accounting for 63.7%, 16.1%, and 11.7% of imports in volume, respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 91.5% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Greece's sunflower-seed oilcake imports totaled 10 165 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 9.7% improvement from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 11.8%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 3.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 13 744 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 32.6% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 51.1% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, three key markets—Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Russia—collectively accounted for 88.9% of the total value of sunflower-seed oilcake imports to Greece.

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

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