Sunflower seeds market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The sunflower seed market in the CIS showed overall growth from 2018 to 2023, despite a dip in 2020. This expansion was primarily driven by technological advancements in Russia's agricultural sector, including the adoption of more productive hybrids and improved farming techniques, which boosted yields. Concurrently, the steady increase in sunflower cultivation area in Russia supported larger harvests, contributing to rising production volumes.

A pivotal shift occurred from late 2020 with the introduction of export duties on sunflower seeds in Russia. The prohibitive 50% duty implemented in July 2021 sharply curtailed exports, redirecting more supply to the domestic market. This policy change was a key factor behind the market's significant jump to 17.4 million tonnes in 2021. The export restrictions remained influential into 2022, helping to sustain internal consumption even as production reached new highs.

Market growth continued, reaching 20.2 million tonnes in 2023, underpinned by record sowing areas and strong harvests in Russia. Technological progress and a focus on import substitution further supported production efficiency. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, drought conditions in 2023 led to crop losses, applying pressure on supply, though active domestic demand provided some market support.

Production sunflower seeds in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

Sunflower seed production in the CIS declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, the region produced 14,737 thousand tonnes, representing a 14.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 20%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 17,133 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 18.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year upward trend, sunflower seed production in the CIS experienced a decline in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at $6,801 million, marking a 5.8% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 26.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.2%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at $7,218 million, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 26.1%.

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

Exports sunflower seeds from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of sunflower seeds from the CIS showed significant fluctuations during the period. The lowest point was recorded in 2018 at 739 thousand tonnes, while exports peaked in 2020 at 1,802 thousand tonnes, representing a 2.4-fold difference between these years. The 2020 volume marked a substantial 21.4% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 23.5%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 100.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Romania, and China were the primary destinations for sunflower seed exports from the CIS in volume terms. Turkey accounted for 30.0% of exports, Romania for 14.8%, and China for 12.0%. Together, these three countries represented 56.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Sunflower seed exports from the CIS in value terms showed an unstable pattern throughout the period. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $345.4 million, while exports reached their peak in 2020 at $831.7 million, showing a 2.4-fold difference between these years. The 2020 value represented a 33.0% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 18.1%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 81.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria remained the key markets for sunflower seed exports from the CIS in value terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 56.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sunflower seeds to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, the CIS imported 151 thousand tonnes of sunflower seeds, representing a 13.9% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 20.9%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 7.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 122 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 36.3%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 44.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, sunflower seed imports to the CIS in volume terms were distributed across multiple partner countries. Ukraine accounted for 7.8% of imports, Turkey for 3.2%, and China for 2.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 13.4% of total import flows, indicating a highly diversified import structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, sunflower seed imports to the CIS declined in value terms. In 2020, imports totaled $461.7 million, representing a 3.9% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 10%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at $480.6 million, which also saw the largest annual increase of 8.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Turkey, and France were the main sources of sunflower seed imports to the CIS in value terms. The United States accounted for 21.8% of imports, Turkey for 18.3%, and France for 12.4%. Together, these three countries represented 52.5% of total import flows.

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

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