Sunflower seeds market in China

Earlier Report Observations

China's sunflower seeds market grew from 2.17 million tons in 2018 to 2.49 million tons in 2019, supported by national policies promoting oilseed cultivation and increasing health awareness among consumers. Government subsidies and technical upgrades improved yields and farmer income, while the demand for sunflower oil and seeds as healthy options expanded.

After peaking in 2019, market volume declined over the next three years, reaching 1.49 million tons in 2022. During this period, consumption patterns shifted, with edible sunflower seed consumption exceeding oil-use consumption for the first time in 2022. The market recovered to 1.96 million tons in 2023, fueled by corporate investments in production facilities and deeper market penetration, including ChaCha Food's capacity expansion and diversified sales channels.

Production sunflower seeds in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China ranked fifth globally in sunflower seed production volume.

Top producers of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

In 2020, China produced 2,570 thousand tonnes of sunflower seeds, a 3.5% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 18.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.5%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 2,494 thousand tonnes. That year also saw the largest decline of 20.8%, while 2019 recorded the biggest increase at 6.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of sunflower seed output in China was 3,278 million US dollars, marking a slight decline of 4.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 8.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.0%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 3,067 million US dollars, which also saw the largest drop of 14.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the highest increase at 12.3%.

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

Exports sunflower seeds from China

Exports in kind, K t

China's sunflower seed export volumes have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports reached 508.0 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 5.8% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 24%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Egypt, and Iran were consistently the main destinations for China's sunflower seed exports in volume terms. Turkey accounted for 21.6% of exports, Egypt for 17.0%, and Iran for 13.5%, together making up 52.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

China's cross-border shipments of sunflower seeds have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 647.9 million US dollars, showing a moderate rise of 4.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 38.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the distribution of export value was relatively scattered. Turkey held a 19.5% share, Egypt 16.4%, and Iran 12.4%, together accounting for 48.3% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Imports sunflower seeds to China

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Import volumes peaked in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2017, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, China imported 180.0 thousand tonnes of sunflower seeds, a decrease of 40.5% from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 302.5 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 117.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan remained the dominant partner for China's sunflower seed imports in volume terms, with an 84.2% share of total flows, while other markets contributed smaller portions.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Market behavior was marked by volatility in these years. Import values varied 2.3 times from the high in 2019 to the low in 2017. In 2020, China imported sunflower seeds worth 110.1 million US dollars, which is 27.8% lower than the previous year. The peak value was in 2019 at 110.1 million US dollars, also recording the largest increase of 131.6%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the geographical pattern of import value was characterized by strong dominance from Kazakhstan, which accounted for 72.7% of total flows, with other partners holding relatively minor shares.

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

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