Sunflower seeds market in Bolivia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, Bolivia's sunflower seeds market volume grew steadily from 121.8 thousand tons to 216.5 thousand tons. This expansion was primarily driven by favorable international prices and consistent industrial demand for sunflower oil production. The adoption of improved cultivation technologies presented by Anapo, along with increasing use of hybrid and enhanced seeds, supported larger harvests. Additionally, the 2020 Supreme Decree that exceptionally authorized the import of transgenic seeds for sunflower provided access to advanced planting materials, further boosting production capacity.

In 2023, the market volume contracted to 194.0 thousand tons, mainly due to persistent adverse climatic factors and severe drought that reduced yields and output. Despite this decline, Bolivia consolidated its position as the second-largest sunflower producer in South America, with growing global demand for sunflower oil continuing to stimulate local market activity. Throughout the period, imports of certified seeds, chiefly from Argentina, remained crucial for maintaining production levels.

Production sunflower seeds in Bolivia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Bolivia was among the world's leading producers of sunflower seeds, ranking 24th globally by production volume.

Top producers of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

Bolivia's sunflower seed production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 159.6 thousand tons, marking a significant year-over-year rise of 16.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 133.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 32.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sunflower seed production in Bolivia rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 029 million US dollars, representing a 28.9% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value surged by 172.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 39.6%.

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

Exports sunflower seeds from Bolivia

Exports in kind, t

Sunflower seed exports from Bolivia grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, shipments totaled 262 tons, showing a gradual increase of 9.5% compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 11.4%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 3.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 213 tons, which also saw the largest drop of 28.0%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 12.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil dominated Bolivia's sunflower seed exports in volume, accounting for 88.4% of the total. The remaining share was distributed among numerous other countries, each with smaller individual portions.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sunflower seed exports from Bolivia expanded for the second year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 1 688 thousand US dollars, reflecting a robust 20.9% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, exports increased by 3.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 1 174 thousand US dollars, which also saw the steepest decline of 28.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Brazil was the primary destination for Bolivia's sunflower seed exports in value terms, making up 88.8% of total flows. Other markets contributed smaller shares, forming a diverse but minor group of partners.

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

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

Imports sunflower seeds to Bolivia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Bolivia's sunflower seed imports declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 076 tons, a 14.0% decrease from 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 54.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.6%. The peak volume was in 2019 at 1 250 tons, which also recorded the largest increase of 55.5%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Argentina was the dominant source for Bolivia's sunflower seed imports in volume, capturing 95.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of gains, Bolivia's sunflower seed imports in value terms fell. In 2020, imports totaled 7 761 thousand US dollars, remaining nearly unchanged from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 timeframe, import value increased by 53.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 15.3%. The highest value was in 2019 at 7 785 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest rise of 30.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bolivia's sunflower seed import structure in value terms was highly concentrated, with Argentina alone responsible for 94.7% of total flows.

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

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