Sunflower-seed oilcake market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The sunflower-seed oilcake market in South-eastern Asia experienced significant volatility between 2018 and 2023, starting from a high of 341.7 thousand tons in 2018. That year saw advances in solvent extraction technology leading to higher oil yields, which could support processing efficiency. However, the market volume fell sharply to 235.2 thousand tons in 2019, a drop that coincided with the implementation of stricter food safety and labeling regulations in several key markets, likely constraining import flows. A partial recovery followed in 2020, with the market reaching 257.4 thousand tons.

After 2020, the market entered a prolonged contraction phase, declining to 200.9 thousand tons in 2021 and further to a low of 152.9 thousand tons in 2022. This represented a cumulative decrease of over 55% from the 2018 peak. In 2023, the downward trend halted as the market stabilized and recorded a slight increase to 158.9 thousand tons.

By 2024, industry developments included strategic moves by major players: Bunge Limited launched a new line of organic sunflower oil products, while Archer Daniels Midland Company partnered with an agricultural cooperative in South Africa to enhance sunflower seed production. These events, alongside growing consumer interest in organic and non-GMO products and the adoption of advanced extraction techniques like cold-pressing, indicated a shift toward more specialized and sustainable segments of the oilseed processing industry.

Production sunflower-seed oilcake in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2017-2020

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

After two years of decline, sunflower-seed oilcake production in South-eastern Asia rebounded in 2020. That year, the region produced 100.0 K t, marking a 3.6% year-over-year increase. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest point was in 2019, with 96.5 K t, which also saw the sharpest decline of 9.0%.

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

Exports sunflower-seed oilcake from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2018, with a 20-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports from South-eastern Asia amounted to 0.7 K t, representing a steep 52.5% drop compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 9.4 K t. The largest decline happened in 2019, at 83.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with a surge of 1 948.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, sunflower-seed oilcake exports from South-eastern Asia reached many different markets. Even the top destinations—India, the United Kingdom, and Belgium—combined accounted for only 40.4% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values exhibited volatility over the observed period. The lowest point was in 2017, while the highest was in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 38 times. In 2020, export values from South-eastern Asia stood at 344 K $ US, reflecting a strong 11.6% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 792 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 89.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with a jump of 3 700.4%.

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

The export structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of partners. India accounted for 31.9% of export value, the United Kingdom for 8.3%, and Belgium for 7.2%. Together, these three markets made up only 47.3% of total flows, with the remaining 52.7% spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports sunflower-seed oilcake to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, South-eastern Asia's sunflower-seed oilcake imports reached 158.1 K t, up 12.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 16.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.7%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 140.2 K t, while the maximum was in 2018 at 245.0 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 42.8%, and the biggest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 30.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, imports in kind were heavily concentrated on Ukraine, which accounted for 83.6% of total flows. Other markets played a less significant role.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, South-eastern Asia imported sunflower-seed oilcake worth 42 702 K $ US, a robust 19.2% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.3%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 35 837 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 62 180 K $ US. The largest decline happened in 2019, at 42.4%, and the biggest increase was in 2018, with a growth of 39.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine dominated imports in value terms, absorbing 84.4% of total sunflower-seed oilcake imports to South-eastern Asia. The remainder was distributed across a wide range of smaller destinations.

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

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