Sunflower seeds market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

The sunflower seeds market in the Americas saw initial growth from 2018 to 2019, with volume rising to 5 002 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by increasing consumer demand for healthy snacks and bakery products containing sunflower seeds, alongside greater investment in agricultural technology and the adoption of high-oil hybrid seeds. Regulatory developments in the United States concerning food safety and labeling also began to shape market conditions.

Supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led to a temporary contraction in market volume to 4 424 thousand tons in 2020. A recovery began in 2021, aided by the entry of new players and strategic alliances, such as the collaboration between Corteva Agriscience and Evogene to develop sunflower seeds with improved resistance and productivity, which helped volume reach 4 487 thousand tons.

A period of accelerated growth followed, with market volume surging to 5 609 thousand tons in 2022 and 6 521 thousand tons in 2023. This sharp increase was primarily driven by the war in Ukraine, which constrained global supply and boosted demand and prices for sunflower seeds in the Americas. Concurrently, rising use of sunflower seeds in animal feed due to their high protein content, sustained consumer preference for natural and organic snacks, and ongoing technological investments in new hybrid varieties further supported market expansion.

Production sunflower seeds in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, sunflower seed production in the Americas declined. In 2020, the region produced 4,606 thousand tons, marking a moderate decrease of 9.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 5,097 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.5%.

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

Exports sunflower seeds from Americas

Exports in kind, K t

Sunflower seed exports from the Americas increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 233.3 thousand tons, representing a substantial year-over-year rise of 76.0%. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 389.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 69.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure for sunflower seeds in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Turkey accounted for 18.0% of exports, France for 17.8%, and Spain for 11.8%, together making up 47.7% of total flows. Many other countries contributed the remaining 52.3%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Sunflower seed export value from the Americas increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 160.9 million US dollars, showing a robust rise of 22.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 63.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 96.3 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 2.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 36.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, sunflower seed exports in value terms from the Americas were distributed across a wide range of markets. France accounted for 21.7% of export value, Spain for 9.3%, and Turkey for 8.6%, together representing only 39.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sunflower seeds to Americas

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, sunflower seed imports into the Americas amounted to 51.2 thousand tons, up by 34.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 31.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 38.0 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 94.2 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 59.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria accounted for 16.9% of sunflower seed imports in kind, China for 4.5%, and Ukraine for 0.8%, together making up 22.2% of total imports. These countries remained the main sources for sunflower seeds imported into the Americas.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Sunflower seed import value into the Americas increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 89.9 million US dollars worth of sunflower seeds, indicating a strong advance of 10.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 14.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 76.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria accounted for 12.3% of sunflower seed imports in value terms, China for 6.9%, and Russia for 0.6%, together representing 19.7% of total imports. These countries remained the principal suppliers of sunflower seeds to the Americas.

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

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