Sunflower-seed oilcake market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the South American sunflower-seed oilcake market experienced significant fluctuations in volume. The market size dropped from 1,069 thousand tons in 2018 to 685 thousand tons in 2019, primarily due to a sharp rise in exports, then recovered to 871 thousand tons in 2020 as exports normalized.

In 2021, the market volume surged to 1,458 thousand tons, driven by a substantial drop in exports and increased domestic production. The production rise was supported by modifications to Maximum Residue Limits in Argentina, which influenced planting decisions for the 2021/22 cycle, and improved adaptability of sunflower crops to local agroclimatic conditions. The following year, market volume contracted to 1,124 thousand tons despite production growing to 1,622 thousand tons, as strong global demand for sunflower oil and plant-based products led to higher exports.

By 2023, production reached 2,002 thousand tons and market volume rose to 1,265 thousand tons. Global supply constraints, including reduced sunflower output in Ukraine due to war and attacks on extraction facilities, strengthened South America's position and boosted both production and exports. The trend continued into 2024, with Argentine exports of sunflower oil and by-products reaching an 18-year high, fueled by elevated international prices and robust external demand.

Production sunflower-seed oilcake in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2017-2020

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

South America's sunflower-seed oilcake production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2020, production reached 1 156 K t, marking a 23.2% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 21.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.6%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 1 505 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 2.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

South America's sunflower-seed oilcake production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 221.1 M $ US, reflecting a significant 17.5% drop from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 6.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 302.2 M $ US, and the largest annual increase also occurred in 2018 at 28.2%.

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

Exports sunflower-seed oilcake from South America

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, South America's sunflower-seed oilcake exports totaled 434.3 K t, representing a sharp 52.1% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 48.8%, with an average annual decline of 20.0%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 906.8 K t, and the largest annual increase also occurred in 2019 at 69.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Spain were the three main markets for South America's sunflower-seed oilcake exports in kind, together accounting for 57.7% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, South America's sunflower-seed oilcake export value reached 83.1 M $ US, showing a substantial 48.6% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 39.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -15.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 161.5 M $ US, and the largest annual increase also occurred in 2019 at 49.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (30.2% of export value), the United Kingdom (17.0%), and Saudi Arabia (7.8%) led the structure of South America's sunflower-seed oilcake exports in value terms, together representing 55.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sunflower-seed oilcake to South America

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Import levels varied significantly, with a low of 86.4 K t in 2019 and a high of 149.7 K t in 2020, representing a 1.7-fold difference. In 2020, imports totaled 149.7 K t, indicating a strong 73.2% increase from the previous year. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019 at 18.4%.

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

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Import values reached a low of 22.3 M $ US in 2019 and a peak in 2020, with a 1.7-fold amplitude between these years. In 2020, South America imported sunflower-seed oilcake valued at 70.6% more than the previous year. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 20.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada (1.7% of import value), Italy (1.4%), and the United States (0.7%) were the main markets for South America's sunflower-seed oilcake imports in value terms, together accounting for 3.8% of total import flows.

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

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