Sunflower seeds market in Algeria

Earlier Report Observations

The sunflower seed market in Algeria expanded from 7 782 tons in 2018 to over 11 000 tons by 2020, primarily driven by rising imports. This growth was initiated by the national sunflower revival program launched in 2018, which introduced guaranteed delivery prices and state subsidies for farmers. The subsequent Maghreb Oléagineux initiative (2019-2022), funded by the EU, aimed to structure the local supply chain, while the entry and expansion of major processing companies like Cevital, Madar, and Sim increased demand for seeds for domestic crushing.

In 2022, the Ukraine conflict disrupted global sunflower seed supplies, leading Algeria to increase imports sharply to 14 301 tons, which pushed the total market volume to a peak of 14 389 tons. The government responded with enhanced financial support for farmers, including price revaluations, and introduced premiums for processors and cooperatives to accelerate local production and reduce import dependency. However, technical challenges such as bird damage to crops and logistical issues continued to limit domestic output.

Market volume adjusted to 13 260 tons in 2023 as import levels remained significant. Authorities maintained their focus on scaling up local cultivation, with a target of 45 000 hectares for the 2023 season and the introduction of specific premiums for storage and processing. In 2024, the revival of sunflower farming was reaffirmed with continued incentives and an emphasis on protecting harvests, highlighting the ongoing development of the domestic oilseed sector infrastructure.

Production sunflower seeds in Algeria

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

Algeria's sunflower seed production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 89 860 kg. However, in 2020, output fell to 87 820 kg, representing a 2.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.4%, which translates to an average annual increase of 0.8%. The most significant year-on-year growth occurred in 2018, with a 2.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Exports sunflower seeds from Algeria

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the sole destination for Algeria's sunflower seed exports in kind, accounting for 100.0% of the total volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Algeria's sunflower seed exports in value terms were entirely concentrated on Turkey, which represented 100.0% of the total export value.

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

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

Imports sunflower seeds to Algeria

Imports in kind, t

Algeria's sunflower seed imports in kind increased for the second year in a row. In 2019, imports rose by 39.2%, but the lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 7 734 t, which marked a significant decline of 57.3% from the previous year. By 2020, imports reached 11 072 t, showing a modest increase of 2.8% compared to 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 38.8%, averaging an annual decline of 15.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey dominated Algeria's sunflower seed imports in kind, holding a 73.5% share of the total volume. The remaining imports were distributed among several other countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Algeria's sunflower seed imports in value terms grew for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at 9 485 K $ US, reflecting a sharp decline of 66.2% from the year before. By 2020, imports had climbed to 15 734 K $ US, up 31.9% from 2019. Over the entire 2017–2020 period, imports fell by 43.9%, with an average annual decrease of 17.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the leading source for Algeria's sunflower seed imports in value terms, accounting for 83.2% of the total. The rest of the imports were spread across various other countries, each contributing smaller amounts.

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

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