Sunflower-seed oilcake market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Italian sunflower-seed oilcake market volume contracted from 833.6 to 761.9 thousand tons. Geopolitical tensions in 2020, including export restrictions on sunflower seeds from Russia and Ukraine, disrupted supply chains and reduced imports, contributing to the decline. Although demand for high-quality vegetable oils like high-oleic sunflower oil grew as a sustainable alternative to palm oil in 2021, market volume continued to fall due to a sharp drop in domestic production.

The market rebounded in 2022, with volume reaching 820.3 thousand tons, largely driven by an 18% increase in demand from the cosmetics industry, where sunflower oil is used in skincare formulations. This new demand segment boosted imports, offsetting lower domestic output. In 2023, volume stabilized at 818.5 thousand tons as Italian processors adopted advanced extraction and refining technologies, enhancing quality and operational efficiency.

By 2024, market volume rose to 834.1 thousand tons, supported by a stable global sunflower seed harvest that ensured steady supplies and continued growth in demand for high-oleic sunflower oil. Italian firms such as Oleificio San Giorgio and Tampieri Vegetable Oil strengthened their market positions through technological upgrades and sustainability certifications, improving product traceability and quality.

Production sunflower-seed oilcake in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Sunflower-seed oilcake production in Italy experienced a two-year growth period before declining. In 2019, output reached its peak at 42 834 K $ US, but then fell to 41 784 K $ US in 2020, marking a 2.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 29.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.1%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, when production jumped by 25.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Italy ranked as the 14th largest producer of sunflower-seed oilcake during the 2017-2020 period.

Top producers of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2017-2020

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

Italy produced 200.0 K t of sunflower-seed oilcake in 2020, representing an 8.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 timeframe, production rose by 9.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The most notable decline occurred in 2019, when production dropped by 3.5%.

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

Exports sunflower-seed oilcake from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy exported 33.4 K t of sunflower-seed oilcake, showing a modest 1.4% year-over-year increase. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 11.4%, with an average annual decline of 4.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 33.0 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 48.1 K t. The most significant decline happened in 2019 with a 31.5% drop, whereas the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 27.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Denmark, and Hungary were the primary destinations for Italy's sunflower-seed oilcake exports in volume terms. Austria accounted for 35.8% of exports, Denmark for 18.5%, and Hungary for 11.4%. Together, these three countries represented 65.7% of Italy's total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Italy's sunflower-seed oilcake exports were valued at 14.8 M $ US in 2020, reflecting a 4.4% increase from the previous year. Despite this recent uptick, exports declined by 16.3% over the 2017-2020 period, with an average annual decrease of 5.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 14.2 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 20.4 M $ US. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a 30.6% drop, whereas the largest increase took place in 2018 with a 15.5% rise.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Austria, Denmark, and Sweden were the key partners for Italy's sunflower-seed oilcake exports in value terms. Austria represented 36.3% of export value, Denmark 22.9%, and Sweden 10.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 69.3% of Italy's total export flows.

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

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

Imports sunflower-seed oilcake to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's imports of sunflower-seed oilcake declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 626.6 K t, which was 5.5% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.1%, with an average annual decline of 2.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 691.3 K t, with the largest increase occurring that same year at 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Russia, and Slovenia were the leading sources of sunflower-seed oilcake imports to Italy in volume terms. Ukraine supplied 35.6% of imports, Russia 20.6%, and Slovenia 15.1%. Together, these three countries made up 71.4% of Italy's total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Italy's sunflower-seed oilcake imports declined in 2020, registering 143.0 M $ US, which represented a significant 10.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 9.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 159.0 M $ US, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 18.9%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Ukraine, Russia, and Slovenia remained the main suppliers of sunflower-seed oilcake to Italy in value terms. Ukraine accounted for 34.2% of import value, Russia for 21.1%, and Slovenia for 16.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 71.8% of Italy's total import value.

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

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