Sunflower seeds market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

The Ethiopian sunflower seeds market showed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023, starting at just over 7 000 t. The market volume surged by more than 35% in 2019 to reach 9 575 t, marking a period of peak production and consumption. However, this was followed by a dramatic contraction in 2020, where the market size more than halved to 4 293 t, erasing the previous year's gains entirely.

From this low point, the market entered a recovery phase. Volume grew by over 20% in 2021 to 5 188 t and then stabilized in 2022 with a slight adjustment. By 2023, the recovery continued, with the market increasing by 23% to reach 6 351 t, though it remained below the 2019 peak. Throughout this period, the market was primarily supplied by domestic production, with import and export volumes playing a negligible role in the overall supply balance.

Production sunflower seeds in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

Ethiopia's sunflower seed production reached 4 288 tonnes in 2020, marking a significant 55.2% decline from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 42.3%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 16.7%. The peak production occurred in 2019 at 9 571 tonnes, with that year also seeing the largest annual increase of 38.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports sunflower seeds from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, t

Export figures for sunflower seeds from Ethiopia showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest point was recorded in 2017, while exports peaked in 2019 at 82.6 tonnes, creating a dramatic 28-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports dropped sharply to just 3.3 tonnes, representing a 96.0% decrease from 2019. The most substantial year-over-year growth occurred in 2019 with a remarkable 761.6% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan consistently served as Ethiopia's primary export market for sunflower seeds, accounting for 81.3% of total export volume. The remaining exports were distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export value of sunflower seeds demonstrated notable volatility throughout the observed period. The lowest point occurred in 2017, while values reached their peak in 2019 at 15.5 thousand US dollars, representing a four-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, export value declined to 7.7 thousand US dollars, a 50.4% decrease from the previous year. The most significant annual increase happened in 2018 with a 166.1% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ethiopia's sunflower seed exports in value terms were concentrated among three main destinations: the United States (36.2% of total export value), Sudan (29.7%), and Israel (22.9%). Together, these three markets accounted for 88.8% of Ethiopia's total sunflower seed export value during this period.

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

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

Imports sunflower seeds to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, t

Ethiopia's sunflower seed imports declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 8.1 tonnes. This represented a sharp 90.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 99%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 78.6%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Sudan dominated Ethiopia's sunflower seed imports by volume, accounting for 96.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values for sunflower seeds showed an unstable pattern during this timeframe. The lowest point was recorded in 2018 at 112.0 thousand US dollars, while values peaked in 2017, creating a 4.5-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, imports totaled approximately 114.0 thousand US dollars, representing an 11.7% decrease from the previous year. The most substantial annual decline occurred in 2018 with a 77.9% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 15.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia's sunflower seed imports in value terms were primarily sourced from three countries: Sudan (59.6% of total import value), Turkey (20.0%), and the United States (17.3%). Together, these three sources accounted for 96.9% of Ethiopia's total sunflower seed import value.

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

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