Sunflower seeds market in Georgia

Earlier Report Observations

The Georgian sunflower seeds market experienced a sharp expansion in 2019, with volume reaching 11 757 t, a 47% increase from the previous year. This surge coincided with the broader entrenchment of seeds, including sunflower, sesame, pumpkin, and flax, in the local food market, a shift driven by consumers’ growing health consciousness and a move away from white-flour products.

Following a two-year contraction that brought the market down to 6 639 t in 2021, demand recovered steadily, climbing to 8 800 t in 2022 and further to 9 372 t in 2023. The later period reflected sustained interest in seeds as nutrient-dense snacks, supported by the ongoing popularity of superfoods and health-oriented eating habits among Georgian consumers.

Production sunflower seeds in Georgia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

Sunflower seed production in Georgia has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Georgia produced 1,900 tonnes of sunflower seeds, which is 26.9% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 13.6%, representing an annualized decline of 4.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3,000 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 36.4%.

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

Exports sunflower seeds from Georgia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Georgia exported 102 tonnes of sunflower seeds in 2020, marking a 51.0% decline compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 308 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 75.6%. From the low in 2020 to the high in 2018, export volumes varied by a factor of three.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export partner base for sunflower seeds was extremely narrow, with Russia alone accounting for 92.8% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. In 2020, Georgia's sunflower seed export value reached 384 thousand US dollars, representing a 63.0% year-over-year decline. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1,165 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 1,086.2%. The period showed a peak in 2018 and a trough in 2017, with an 11.9-fold difference between these years.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Russia dominated the geographical structure of sunflower seed exports from Georgia in value terms, accounting for 97.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sunflower seeds to Georgia

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2020, Georgia's cross-border shipments of sunflower seeds were recorded at 6,847 tonnes, marking a sharp 26.9% year-over-year decline. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 5,266 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 28.5%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 9,366 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 77.9%. From the low in 2018 to the high in 2019, import volumes varied by a factor of 1.8.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Ukraine remained the main sources for sunflower seed imports, jointly accounting for 88.7% of total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, foreign sunflower seed supplies to Georgia declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at 4,869 thousand US dollars, indicating a 34.4% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 22.2%, representing an annualized decline of 8.0%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 7,418 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 14.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia (with 67.3% of total flows) and Ukraine (21.3%) together accounted for 88.7% of total imports in value terms, while other partners represented the remaining volume.

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

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