Sunflower-seed oilcake market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The sunflower seed oilcake market in Romania expanded from 161 thousand tons in 2018 to 203 thousand tons in 2020, driven by the introduction of high-yield sunflower hybrids like Pioneer's P64LL125 and Euralis's varieties, which improved crop productivity. Emergency support from the Ministry of Agriculture for the oilseed sector further encouraged cultivation. However, drought in 2019 reduced sunflower harvests, leading to price increases that motivated farmers to maintain planting areas despite climatic challenges.

Market volume surged to 299 thousand tons in 2021 and peaked at 369 thousand tons in 2022, largely due to the impact of the war in Ukraine. Romania increased sunflower cultivation area to offset reduced Ukrainian production and imported seeds for processing. Rising prices for sunflower seeds and oil boosted the crushing industry, while growing use of oilcake in animal feed, driven by its quality specifications, heightened domestic demand. Technological advances such as the ONE SMART SPRAY system for precise herbicide application and emergency authorizations for pesticide use helped protect crops and support output.

After the 2022 peak, the market contracted to 291 thousand tons in 2023 and 225 thousand tons in 2024, reflecting a post-war normalization. Despite the decline, the agricultural sector saw continued revenue growth, with major processors like Prutul SA and Ardealul SA strengthening their market presence. Conflicts over beehive placement in sunflower fields highlighted environmental pressures from expanded cultivation.

Production sunflower-seed oilcake in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Romania's sunflower-seed oilcake production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 99.8 million US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 2.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 26.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 8.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 104.1 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 32.0% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Romania ranked 8th globally in sunflower-seed oilcake production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2017-2020

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

Romania's sunflower-seed oilcake production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 456.2 thousand tonnes were produced, representing a 4.9% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 11.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%. The peak was in 2018 at 499.2 thousand tonnes, when the largest increase of 22.5% was recorded.

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

Exports sunflower-seed oilcake from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

Sunflower-seed oilcake exports from Romania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Romania exported 293.6 thousand tonnes, indicating an 11.1% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 11.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 399.1 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 51.3%, while the largest decline of 17.3% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Israel, and Turkey were the main destinations for Romania's sunflower-seed oilcake exports in volume terms. France accounted for 25.4% of exports, Israel for 23.4%, and Turkey for 15.3%, together making up 64.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend during this period. In 2020, sunflower-seed oilcake exports from Romania amounted to 65.170 million US dollars, a drop of 9.2% compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 84.844 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 79.4% that year and the largest decline of 15.4% in 2019. Overall, there was a 1.8-fold variation between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2017.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Israel, and Turkey remained the principal buyers of sunflower-seed oilcake from Romania in value terms. France represented 25.2% of exports, Israel 22.3%, and Turkey 14.4%, jointly accounting for 61.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sunflower-seed oilcake to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2020, sunflower-seed oilcake imports into Romania reached 40.4 thousand tonnes, showing a decrease of 26.9% compared to the previous year. The highest volume was in 2018 at 60.8 thousand tonnes, when the largest increase of 150.0% was recorded. From 2017 to 2018, imports varied by 2.5 times between the peak and trough.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria and Hungary were the main sources for Romania's sunflower-seed oilcake imports in volume terms, together accounting for 99.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed volatility over the observed period. In 2020, sunflower-seed oilcake imports into Romania came to 7.831 million US dollars, equivalent to a strong decline of 22.2% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was in 2018 at 11.127 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 168.5% that year. Imports changed by 2.7 times from the peak in 2018 to the trough in 2017.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, two key markets—Bulgaria and Hungary—dominated Romania's sunflower-seed oilcake imports in value terms, together accounting for 99.3% of total flows.

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

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