Sunflower-seed oilcake market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The sunflower-seed oilcake market in Western Europe experienced a multi-year contraction in physical volume, falling from 2 763 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 2 044 thousand tonnes in 2021, while its value in monetary terms remained relatively stable between $680 million and $700 million.

A distinct reversal began in 2022, with market volume recovering to 2 194 thousand tonnes and value jumping sharply to $854.1 million. This shift was primarily driven by strong consumer demand for healthier, high-oleic, and cold-pressed sunflower oil variants, alongside the emergence of new product segments like vitamin-enriched bio-oils. Simultaneously, the war in Ukraine disrupted global supply chains for sunflower oil, contributing to significant raw material price volatility and increased costs. Major market players, including Archer Daniels Midland, Bunge, and Cargill, expanded their portfolios in response to these trends. The market stabilized in 2023 at 2 166 thousand tonnes and $849.1 million, supported by continued investment in sustainable production technologies such as solvent-free extraction methods.

Production sunflower-seed oilcake in Western Europe

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 Europe has been declining for three consecutive years. In 2020, production reached 790 K t, marking a 7.1% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 44.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 17.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of sunflower-seed oilcake output in Western Europe was 258.8 M $ US, showing an 8.2% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 17.9%, with an average annual rate of 6.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 239.1 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 361.5 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 33.9%, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 14.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sunflower-seed oilcake from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Sunflower-seed oilcake exports from Western Europe have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 535 K t, down 12.7% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 25.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 744 K t. The largest decline was in 2019 with a 17.7% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 3.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, sunflower-seed oilcake exports from Western Europe were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. The United Kingdom accounted for 16.9% of exports in kind, Ireland for 4.1%, and Italy for 3.0%, with these three countries together making up only 23.9% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe exported sunflower-seed oilcake worth 175.1 M $ US, which is 1.7% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 9.9%, with an average annual rate of 3.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 197.2 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 12.7% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 23.8% rise.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, sunflower-seed oilcake exports in value terms from Western Europe were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. The United Kingdom accounted for 14.3% of exports in value terms, Czechia for 3.2%, and Ireland for 3.1%, with these three countries together representing just 20.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sunflower-seed oilcake to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, sunflower-seed oilcake deliveries to Western Europe reached 2 208 K t, which is 2.1% lower than the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 143 K t, while the highest was in 2019 at 2 254 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 5.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Argentina, and Russia were the top sources for sunflower-seed oilcake imports in kind to Western Europe. Ukraine accounted for 37.1% of imports in kind, Argentina for 11.8%, and Russia for 8.8%, with these three countries together comprising 57.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the volume of sunflower-seed oilcake imports to Western Europe totaled 603.1 M $ US, down 1.6% from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 15.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 520.6 M $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 613.2 M $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 17.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Argentina, and Russia formed the core of sunflower-seed oilcake imports in value terms to Western Europe. Ukraine accounted for 36.2% of imports in value terms, Argentina for 10.3%, and Russia for 8.7%, with these three countries together taking 55.2% of total flows.

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

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