Sunflower seeds market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for sunflower seeds in Asia fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, peaking at 7.7 million tons in 2019 before dipping to 7 million tons in 2021 and recovering to 7.5 million tons by 2023.

Key drivers included the introduction of magnetic seed treatment in 2021, which enhanced productivity and supported domestic production, though overall market volume fell due to a sharp drop in imports. The following year, growing consumer demand for sunflower oil in the region, particularly in India where health-conscious consumers shifted toward lighter cooking oils, became the primary factor pushing market volume to 7.4 million tons. The Ukrainian crisis added pressure to supply chains but did not prevent overall growth.

In 2023, market volume continued a moderate rise, reaching 7.5 million tons. For 2024, imports into Asia contracted to 971 thousand tons, partly explained by reduced global production caused by unfavorable weather in key Black Sea growing areas, which tightened worldwide supply.

Production sunflower seeds in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

In 2020, Asia produced 6,223 thousand tonnes of sunflower seeds, marking a 2.5% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 6,083 thousand tonnes. That same year saw the largest drop of 10.6%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 5.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, sunflower seed production in Asia saw a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 23,470 million US dollars, representing an 18.5% decrease compared to the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 13.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.3%. The highest value was reached in 2019 at 28,781 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 30.6%.

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

Exports sunflower seeds from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 379 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 754 thousand tonnes, representing a twofold difference. In 2020, sunflower seed shipments from Asia to international markets totaled 754 thousand tonnes, which is a 99.0% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 46.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, sunflower seed exports from Asia were distributed across numerous countries. Egypt accounted for 8.1% of exports in volume, the Netherlands for 4.5%, and Spain for 1.8%. Together, these three countries made up just 14.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, cross-border shipments of sunflower seeds from Asia declined. In 2020, exports reached 954 million US dollars, a 6.1% decrease year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 25.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1,016 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 20.4%.

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

An analysis of export values from 2017 to 2020 reveals a wide distribution across many markets. Egypt represented 10.7% of export value, Russia 3.9%, and Spain 3.4%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 18.0% of total flows, with the remaining 82.0% going to other partners.

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

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

Imports sunflower seeds to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Foreign sunflower seed supplies to Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Asia imported 1,718 thousand tonnes of sunflower seeds, a 1.1% gain from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 56.4%, equating to an average annual increase of 16.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in volume remained highly diversified. Russia accounted for 22.9% of imports, Moldova for 16.2%, and Romania for 9.3%. Together, these three countries represented 48.4% of total flows, while a long tail of smaller markets made up the remaining 51.6%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Asia imported approximately 1,125 million US dollars worth of sunflower seeds, showing a slight drop of 1.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 36.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 822 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 1,136 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 38.2%.

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

An analysis of import values from 2017 to 2020 indicates a broad distribution across many markets. Russia accounted for 17.0% of import value, Moldova for 12.4%, and Romania for 6.8%. Together, these three countries made up 36.1% of total flows, with the remaining 63.9% attributed to other partners.

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

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