Sunflower seeds market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Sunflower seed production in Eastern Africa rose steadily from 1 429 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 860 thousand tonnes in 2023, with market volume following a similar upward trajectory. This expansion was fundamentally supported by the widespread introduction of high-yield hybrid seed varieties, particularly Hysun33, promoted since 2017 by the Agricultural Markets Development Trust (AMDT) alongside government and donor initiatives. These programs provided farmers with improved seeds, training in agronomic practices, and value-addition infrastructure like processing plants, directly enhancing productivity and output.

The growth momentum was further reinforced by sustained public-sector support. Key measures included the government's provision of tax incentives for the sunflower value chain and, from 2022 onward, direct subsidies for seeds distributed by the Agricultural Seed Agency to improve rural access. In 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture's plan to distribute 5 000 tonnes of seeds nationally underscored the strategic focus on scaling production to meet domestic cooking oil demand, directly contributing to the recorded increases in market volume.

Parallel developments included the launch of organic sunflower production programs and efforts by processors to improve quality-based pricing, which added to market dynamism. While access to credit was noted as a persistent challenge, the consistent rollout of better planting material and supportive policies remained the primary driver for the sector's expansion throughout the period.

Production sunflower seeds in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

Eastern Africa's sunflower seed production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 628 thousand tonnes of sunflower seeds, marking a 3.9% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 17.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5%.

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

Exports sunflower seeds from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Export levels fluctuated significantly, with a 4.4-fold difference between the low of 2019 and the high of 2020. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported 4 965 tonnes of sunflower seeds, a sharp increase of 336.5% compared to 2019. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 138 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 35.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of sunflower seed exports was highly diversified. South Africa accounted for 14.4% of exports in kind, India for 1.0%, and Spain for 0.8%, together making up just 16.2% of total flows. The remaining 83.8% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached a peak in 2017 and hit a trough in 2019, with a 2.4-fold swing between these years. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported sunflower seeds worth 2 089 thousand US dollars, up 131.9% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 901 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 54.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa, the Netherlands, and the United States were among the largest buyers of sunflower seeds from Eastern Africa in value terms. South Africa accounted for 14.4% of exports, the Netherlands for 8.9%, and the United States for 2.9%. However, together they represented only 26.2% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports sunflower seeds to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import levels reached their maximum in 2017 and fell to their lowest point in 2019, showing a fourfold amplitude. In 2020, Eastern Africa imported 1 079 tonnes of sunflower seeds, equivalent to a steep rise of 94.4% compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 555 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 62.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, the partner landscape for sunflower seed imports in kind was wide. Sudan accounted for 5.5% of imports, South Africa for 4.7%, and Argentina for 2.7%, together forming only 12.9% of total flows. A substantial 87.1% was supplied by many other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The span from 2019 to 2020 saw a peak-to-trough amplitude of 2.3 times. In 2020, cross-border shipments of sunflower seeds to Eastern Africa stood at 4 273 thousand US dollars, equivalent to an advance of 126.4% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 887 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 53.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, South Africa, Chile, and China remained the key sources for imports in value terms. South Africa accounted for 42.9% of imports, Chile for 8.7%, and China for 7.8%. Together, they took 59.4% of total flows.

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

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