Sunflower seeds market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the sunflower seeds market in Eastern Europe experienced notable shifts in volume, primarily influenced by agricultural production changes. The market grew in 2019 and 2021, supported by expanded sown areas and widespread adoption of high-yield hybrid seeds, which increased overall harvests. During this period, the packaged sunflower seeds segment also gained traction, reflecting evolving consumer preferences.

The market dynamics were significantly altered in July 2021 when a 50% export duty was imposed on sunflower seeds, with a minimum charge of €320 per ton. This measure curtailed exports and bolstered domestic supply, contributing to a rise in market volume that year. Conversely, in 2020, a contraction in planted area led to a temporary reduction in production and market size.

After a decline in 2022, the market rebounded in 2023 as sunflower harvests increased by 5.5% over the previous year, continuing the industry's trend toward technological improvement and efficient farming practices.

Production sunflower seeds in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, sunflower seed production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) experienced a decline. In 2019, production reached its peak at 38 822 K t, but then fell by 15.9% year-over-year to 32 655 K t in 2020. The most significant annual increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 13.0%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.1%, averaging an annualized rate of 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sunflower seed production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) continued to grow for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 22 730 M $ US, marking a moderate increase of 5.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 37.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 11.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sunflower seeds from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) exported 3 432 K t of sunflower seeds, representing a significant decline of 11.1% from the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 192 K t, while the highest was in 2019 at 3 861 K t, with the largest annual increase of 21.0% occurring that year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 6.2%, averaging an annualized rate of 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the export market for sunflower seeds from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was highly diversified. The top three buyers—Turkey (17.0% of exports in kind), the Netherlands (12.5%), and France (7.1%)—collectively accounted for only 36.6% of total exports, with numerous other countries holding smaller but notable shares.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Sunflower seed exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 389 M $ US, showing an increase of 11.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 37.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 11.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the value-based export structure for sunflower seeds from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) remained highly diverse. The leading markets—Turkey (13.8% of exports in value terms), the Netherlands (11.1%), and Germany (8.2%)—together made up only 33.1% of total flows, while a wide range of smaller markets contributed the remaining 66.9%.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports sunflower seeds to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, sunflower seed imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 836 K t, reflecting a sharp increase of 45.6% from the previous year. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 575 K t, which also saw the largest annual decline of 3.6%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 41.9%, with an annualized rate of 12.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017-2020, the supplier base for sunflower seeds to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was broad. The top three suppliers—Turkey (2.1% of imports in kind), Austria (1.8%), and Serbia (1.7%)—collectively accounted for just 5.7% of total imports, with many other countries holding smaller but significant shares.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Sunflower seed imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 623 M $ US, indicating a robust growth of 18.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 43.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that imports of sunflower seeds into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms were not concentrated among a few key sources. The top three suppliers—the United States (14.5% of imports in value terms), Turkey (13.3%), and France (10.6%)—jointly represented only 38.4% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020