Sunflower seeds market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

The Argentine sunflower seeds market opened the period with production of 3.5 million tons in 2018. Improved hybrid varieties with advanced traits and higher returns on investment encouraged broader adoption, helping to push output to 3.8 million tons in 2019. However, in 2020 production fell to 2.9 million tons, reducing market volume to 2.7 million tons.

Recovery began in 2021 amid strong demand that exceeded available seed supply, leading to delays in producer decisions. The Russia-Ukraine conflict from 2022 onward triggered record international prices for sunflower seeds and oil, encouraging Argentine farmers to expand sowings by almost 20% despite drought conditions. This price surge, coupled with resilient planting, helped lift production to 4.1 million tons in 2022.

In 2023, the market saw further consolidation as Syngenta divested its sunflower seed assets—including germplasm banks and commercial lines—to Nuseed S.A., bolstering local competition. Strict traceability systems and laboratory controls were implemented to meet European sanitary standards, securing export channels. Alongside continued high global prices due to the war, these developments supported a production jump to 5.0 million tons and a market size of 4.9 million tons.

Production sunflower seeds in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Argentina was one of the world's top producers of sunflower seeds from 2017 to 2020, ranking third globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

In 2020, Argentina produced 2 857 K t of sunflower seeds, marking a significant 25.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 19.4%, with an average annual decrease of 7.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 3 826 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 8.1%.

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

Exports sunflower seeds from Argentina

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 4.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Argentina exported 206.5 K t of sunflower seeds, representing a substantial 40.2% year-over-year increase. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 50.4 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 34.8%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 192.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey (23.0% of export volume), France (19.4%), and Spain (15.2%) were the primary destinations for Argentina's sunflower seed exports, collectively accounting for 57.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values varied 2.2 times between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020. In 2020, sunflower seed exports from Argentina amounted to 103.2 M $ US, reflecting a sharp 25.2% increase over the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 46.0 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 28.0%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 79.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (15.3% of export value), Turkey (14.2%), and the United States (12.9%) were among the largest buyers of Argentine sunflower seeds in value terms. However, even combined, they represented just 42.4% of total export value, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports sunflower seeds to Argentina

Imports in kind, K t

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Import volumes fell to their lowest point in 2018 and reached their peak in 2019, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Argentina imported approximately 0.4 K t of sunflower seeds, representing a 38.8% decrease compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.2 K t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 0.6 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 39.0% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2019 with a 160.8% rise.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Chile (30.3% of import volume), Bulgaria (23.6%), and the United States (21.7%) were the key partners for Argentina's sunflower seed imports, together accounting for 75.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Argentina imported 1.7 M $ US worth of sunflower seeds, down 20.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 22.2%, equating to an average annual decline of 8.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 21.1%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 23.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (41.9% of import value), Chile (31.3%), and Bolivia (7.5%) were the principal sources for Argentina's sunflower seed imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 80.7% of total import flows.

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

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