Sunflower seeds market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The African sunflower seeds market volume fluctuated between 2.6 million and 2.9 million tons from 2018 to 2020. In 2018, the installation of a new oil palm production line in Mali with integrated sunflower seed processing capability enhanced local production capacity, while domestic demand for oilseed cakes and vegetable oils in Togo grew by approximately 40%, supporting import levels. Despite a notable 47% increase in sunflower seed production in Cameroon and a 682% surge in its exports during the 2019/2020 season, the overall market volume contracted the same year. By 2020, the market recovered to 2.8 million tons, driven by rising imports of sunflower oil from Malaysia and the recognition of sunflower as a functional food in Togo, which stimulated broader demand.

From 2021 to 2023, the market stabilized around 2.7–2.9 million tons. Sunflower cultivation area in Togo expanded by 20% to approximately 600,000 hectares in 2021, laying groundwork for future supply. The market volume peaked at 2.9 million tons in 2022, sustained by continuing strong domestic demand in Togo and Burkina Faso, where annual edible oil consumption was estimated at 95,000 tons with a 4% growth rate. In 2023, the market volume settled at 2.8 million tons, marking a period of stabilization as production levels held steady.

Production sunflower seeds in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

In 2019, Africa's sunflower seed production reached its lowest point at 2 421 K t, marking a 2.2% decline. However, production rebounded in 2020 to 2 586 K t, representing a 6.8% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%.

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

Exports sunflower seeds from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Sunflower seed exports from Africa showed significant volatility between 2017 and 2020. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 20.6 K t, representing a staggering 982.0% increase. Exports then fell sharply by 75.9% in 2019 before recovering to 5.5 K t in 2020, which was an 11.2% improvement over the previous year. Overall, export levels fluctuated 10.8 times between the high of 2018 and the low of 2017.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Africa's sunflower seed exports in volume terms were highly dispersed across destinations. The top three markets—Lebanon (4.4%), the Netherlands (2.5%), and Belgium (2.0%)—collectively accounted for just 8.9% of total exports. The remaining 91.1% was distributed among a wide range of other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2019, the value of sunflower seed exports from Africa hit a low of 5.6 million US dollars, reflecting a 26.8% decline. This was followed by a strong recovery in 2020, with exports reaching 7.6 million US dollars—a 36.8% increase compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Africa's sunflower seed exports in value terms were spread across numerous destinations. The Netherlands (7.6%), Lebanon (6.4%), and Belgium (5.9%) were the top three markets, but together they made up only 19.9% of total export value. The remaining 80.1% was shared among a diverse array of other countries.

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

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

Imports sunflower seeds to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Sunflower seed imports into Africa declined over the 2017–2020 period, dropping by 77.6% overall, which translates to an annualized decrease of 39.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 160.8 K t, following a sharp 56.5% decline in 2018. However, imports rebounded in 2020 to 175.3 K t, showing a 9.0% increase year-over-year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Africa's sunflower seed imports in volume terms were concentrated among a few key suppliers. China dominated with 53.3% of imports, followed by Romania at 13.3% and Turkey at 10.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 77.2% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Africa's sunflower seed import value declined for three consecutive years from 2017 to 2020, with an overall decrease of 8.4% over this period, equivalent to a compound annual growth rate of -2.9%. In 2020, imports amounted to 160.5 million US dollars, down 2.7% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the dominant source for Africa's sunflower seed imports in value terms, accounting for 70.8% of the total. The rest of the import value was distributed among a long tail of smaller trading partners.

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

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