Sunflower-seed oilcake market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The US sunflower-seed oilcake market displayed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2020. Advances in solvent extraction technology enhanced processing efficiency in 2018, supporting a production level of 254 thousand tons. This was followed by a market contraction in 2019, driven by the implementation of stricter food safety and labeling regulations in key export markets, which increased compliance costs and reduced output. The market recovered in 2020, with consumption rising to 237 thousand tons.

From 2021 to 2023, the market underwent further swings. After a decline in 2021, volume surged by 47% in 2022 to 301 thousand tons. This growth reversed sharply in 2023, as market volume fell to 212 thousand tons. This contraction was primarily driven by volatility in the availability and cost of raw sunflower seeds, influenced by geopolitical tensions and adverse weather conditions affecting global trade.

In 2024, import volumes rose significantly, indicating ongoing shifts in supply dynamics. Major industry participants responded to evolving trends, with Bunge Limited launching a new line of organic sunflower oil products and Archer Daniels Midland forming partnerships to bolster global supply chains. Concurrently, growing demand from the animal feed segment continued to underpin consumption of sunflower-seed oilcake as a key protein source.

Production sunflower-seed oilcake in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States ranked as the world's 12th largest producer of sunflower-seed oilcake.

Top producers of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, the United States produced 257.0 K t of sunflower-seed oilcake, marking a solid 11.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 6.2%, which translates to an average annual rate of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 230.0 K t, with the largest decline of 9.4% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of sunflower-seed oilcake in the United States was valued at 38 744 K $ US, reflecting a significant 27.6% gain compared to the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 4.7%, averaging 1.5% per year. The minimum value was 30 355 K $ US in 2019, while the maximum reached 40 721 K $ US in 2018. The largest decline of 25.5% was recorded in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports sunflower-seed oilcake from the United States

Exports in kind, t

Sunflower-seed oilcake exports from the United States have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 22 212 t, up 16.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 363%, representing an average annual growth rate of 66.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, sunflower-seed oilcake from the United States was shipped almost entirely to Canada, which accounted for 90.5% of total exports in volume.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Sunflower-seed oilcake exports from the United States have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 3 349 K $ US, a 32.7% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 356.4%, averaging 65.9% annually.

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

During 2017-2020, Canada dominated the export value of sunflower-seed oilcake from the United States, holding an 89.2% share of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other partners.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports sunflower-seed oilcake to the United States

Imports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The highest import volume was observed in 2017, while the lowest occurred in 2018, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 7.7 times. In 2020, the United States imported 2 072 t of sunflower-seed oilcake, up 12.5% from 2019. The minimum volume was 1 158 t in 2018, with the largest decline of 87.1% that year. The largest increase of 59.0% was recorded in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina (31.8% of imports in volume), Germany (25.0%), and Romania (13.3%) led as the top suppliers of sunflower-seed oilcake to the United States, collectively accounting for 70.1% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values peaked in 2019 and fell to their lowest in 2020, showing a 2.6-fold shift. In 2020, the United States imported approximately 1 175 K $ US of sunflower-seed oilcake, a sharp 62.2% drop compared to 2019. The maximum value was 3 108 K $ US in 2019, with the largest increase of 99.4% occurring that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany (48.3% of imports in value), Argentina (23.6%), and China (8.4%) together made up 80.3% of total import value, remaining the primary sources for sunflower-seed oilcake to the United States.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020