Sunflower seeds market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Bulgarian sunflower seeds market expanded, supported by robust Eastern European production and the introduction of improved genetics by Nuseed, which promised more reliable yields. However, drought conditions in 2019 and 2020 reduced domestic harvests, increasing reliance on imports to meet demand and pushing market volume upward. By 2021, a sharp price increase of 35–56% prompted producers to withhold stocks in anticipation of further gains, temporarily constraining the volume available on the domestic market.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 severely disrupted global sunflower supply chains, driving prices higher and prompting Bulgaria to boost imports from alternative sources like Argentina while also stimulating local production. This led to a surge in market volume to over 2.8 million tons. In 2023, tightened quality controls on imports from Argentina, alongside record sunflower oil exports that increased seed shipments abroad, reduced inbound seed flows and lifted exports, causing the domestic market volume to contract significantly.

Production sunflower seeds in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria consistently ranked 7th globally in sunflower seed production volume.

Top producers of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's sunflower seed production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 734 K t of sunflower seeds, marking a significant 10.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 15.7%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 5.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Bulgaria's sunflower seed output was valued at 1 131 M $ US, showing only a slight fluctuation from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 130 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 1.7% drop.

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

Exports sunflower seeds from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Bulgaria's sunflower seed exports rebounded. In 2020, the country exported 818 K t of sunflower seeds, representing a solid 11.9% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 3.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 732 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 7.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (22.6% of exports in kind), Germany (12.0%), and Turkey (11.9%) were among the largest buyers of Bulgarian sunflower seeds. However, even combined, they accounted for just 46.5% of total exports in kind, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Bulgaria exported 533.9 M $ US worth of sunflower seeds, reflecting a substantial 25.1% improvement compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 20.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 6.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 426.7 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 6.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for exports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. The Netherlands (16.8% of exports in value terms), Germany (15.2%), and Turkey (8.4%) jointly represented 40.4% of total flows, while many other countries accounted for the remaining 59.6%.

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

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

Imports sunflower seeds to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, K t

Bulgaria's sunflower seed imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 021 K t, representing an abrupt 63.6% year-over-year rise. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 472.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 78.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania (52.1% of imports in kind), Russia (20.0%), and Moldova (10.6%) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of sunflower seed imports to Bulgaria, together accounting for 82.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Bulgaria's sunflower seed imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 497.9 M $ US worth of sunflower seeds, representing a steep 81.0% advance compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 257.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 52.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania (42.1% of imports in value terms), Russia (17.2%), and Ukraine (9.2%) were the main suppliers of sunflower seeds to Bulgaria, together comprising 68.5% of total imports in value terms.

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

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