Sunflower-seed oilcake market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

South Africa's sunflower-seed oilcake market volume expanded from 348 thousand tons in 2018 to 455 thousand tons in 2021. The sharp increase in 2019, when market size jumped by 24% to 431 thousand tons, was primarily due to a surge in imports. In 2020, market volume stabilized at 432 thousand tons as local production increased to 419 thousand tons, offsetting lower imports. This production growth was supported by the expansion of domestic sunflower seed crushing capacity, which allowed more local processing of seeds into oil and oilcake.

After reaching its peak, the market contracted to 376 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 347 thousand tons in 2023. The decline was marked by a drop in production from 411 thousand tons in 2021 to 339 thousand tons in 2023, coupled with a steep reduction in imports. These movements returned the market volume to levels similar to those seen in 2018.

Throughout the period, industry initiatives aimed at strengthening the local value chain were evident. The FarmSol Emerging Grower Programme, launched in 2020, incentivized farmers to cultivate high-oil-content sunflower varieties through price premiums. The CEOCO crushing plant in Boksburg served as a key processing facility, underscoring the focus on domestic crushing. Globally, sunflower seed production in Ukraine and Russia influenced market perceptions, while South Africa's own crushing capacity continued to shape import dependence and pricing.

Production sunflower-seed oilcake in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Globally, South Africa ranked as the 10th largest producer of sunflower-seed oilcake between 2018 and 2021.

Top producers of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2018-2021

World map of production of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2018-2021

South Africa's sunflower-seed oilcake production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2021, the country produced 410.9 K t, marking a 1.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 24.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 418.7 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 24.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports sunflower-seed oilcake from South Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Sunflower-seed oilcake exports from South Africa fell for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country exported 13.2 K t, representing a 34.7% drop from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 40.3%, with an average annual decline of 15.8%. The peak export volume occurred in 2019 at 22.3 K t, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, three key markets—Eswatini, Botswana, and Namibia—collectively accounted for 77.1% of South Africa's total sunflower-seed oilcake exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, South Africa's sunflower-seed oilcake exports reached 6 650 K $ US, showing a significant 31.1% increase year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 3.7%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 1.2%. The lowest export value was recorded in 2020 at 5 072 K $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 6 985 K $ US. The largest annual decline occurred in 2020, with a 27.4% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Eswatini (29.1% of export value), Namibia (25.1%), and Botswana (21.5%) were the primary markets for South Africa's sunflower-seed oilcake exports in value terms, together representing 75.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports sunflower-seed oilcake to South Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 33.3 K t and peaked in 2019 at 116.3 K t, with a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2021, South Africa imported 57.7 K t of foreign sunflower-seed oilcake, a 73.3% increase from the previous year. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2020 at 71.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 191.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Argentina dominated South Africa's sunflower-seed oilcake imports in volume terms, holding a 92.9% share of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility over the observed years. Imports bottomed in 2020 at 6 007 K $ US and peaked in 2019 at 25 390 K $ US, with a 4.2-fold difference. In 2021, South Africa imported 14 594 K $ US of sunflower-seed oilcake, a sharp 143.0% rise from 2020. The largest annual decline was in 2020 at 76.3%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 190.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, Argentina nearly defined the geographical structure of South Africa's sunflower-seed oilcake imports in value terms, accounting for 94.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021