Sunflower-seed oilcake market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The sunflower-seed oilcake market in Western Asia reached 2.5 million tons in 2018, supported by high import volumes that exceeded 700 thousand tons in the first ten months of the year. Market volume expanded to 2.9 million tons in 2019 as processing plants began formally accounting for oilcake as a by-product, enhancing its economic value and integration into the supply chain. Despite the implementation of the Vegetable Oils Sector Policy Document for 2020-2024, which promoted the use of oilcake in animal feed, the market saw a slight contraction to 2.7 million tons in 2020.

Market volume fell sharply to 2.1 million tons in 2021, a period marked by the entry of new production capacity with Konya Şeker's crude oil plant opening. The decline continued to 2.0 million tons in 2022 amid geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which disrupted global sunflower product trade and created uncertainty. By 2023, the market rebounded to 2.3 million tons, supported by agricultural subsidies for fuel and fertilizers that aimed to stabilize input costs for farmers.

Production sunflower-seed oilcake in Western 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

Sunflower-seed oilcake production in Western Asia has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 434 K t, marking a moderate 3.2% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 22.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.0%.

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

Exports sunflower-seed oilcake from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Export performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a fourfold difference between these years. In 2020, sunflower-seed oilcake exports from Western Asia totaled 15 K t, down 15.6% from 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 22 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 20.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, surging by 296.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Poland were the top contributors to exports in kind. The United Kingdom accounted for 36.3% of exports, the United States for 12.7%, and Poland for 4.8%. Together, these three countries made up 53.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values displayed an unstable trend over the timeframe. The lowest exports were in 2017, and the highest in 2018, with a sixfold gap between these years. In 2020, sunflower-seed oilcake exports from Western Asia amounted to 4.6 M $ US, reflecting a robust decrease of 22.1% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 6.5 M $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2018, jumping by 501.0%.

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

During 2017–2020, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Turkmenistan led the export structure in value terms. The United Kingdom contributed 45.4% of exports, the United States 11.5%, and Turkmenistan 4.1%. Combined, these three countries represented 61.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sunflower-seed oilcake to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Asia's sunflower-seed oilcake imports reached 1 319 K t, showing a strong contraction of 12.3% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 9.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 298 K t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 1 503 K t. The largest increase happened in 2019, rising by 15.8%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, Russia, Ukraine, and Bulgaria were the leading suppliers of sunflower-seed oilcake to Western Asia in kind. Russia accounted for 38.1% of imports, Ukraine for 32.8%, and Bulgaria for 9.1%. Together, these three countries held an 80.0% share of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Sunflower-seed oilcake imports in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year in Western Asia. In 2020, imports totaled 355.1 M $ US, up 4.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 23.1%, with an average annual rate of 7.2%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Russia, Ukraine, and Bulgaria remained the main markets for imports in value terms. Russia contributed 37.3% of imports, Ukraine 33.0%, and Bulgaria 9.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 79.6% of total import flows.

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

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