Sunflower seeds market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The sunflower seeds market in MENA contracted sharply from 820 thousand tons in 2018 to 371 thousand tons in 2021. The initial high market volume was supported by substantial global production led by Ukraine and Russia, which facilitated imports into the region. A strategic agreement between KissanPro and Barakat Vegetables & Fruit Co in 2021 aimed to improve agricultural product access, occurring as market size reached its lowest point in the period.

Market recovery began in 2022, rising to 432 thousand tons, and continued to 484 thousand tons in 2023. This growth coincided with the expansion of sunflower cultivation in China's Bayannur region, which exports to over 40 Middle Eastern countries, and with Algerian government initiatives that allocated over 1,360 hectares for sunflower planting and launched awareness campaigns to boost local production.

By 2024, evolving consumer preferences towards healthy eating increased interest in sunflower seeds as a source of healthy fats and plant protein. Simultaneously, e-commerce in MENA grew by 30%, enhancing distribution channels for sunflower seeds and related products within the region.

Production sunflower seeds in MENA

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 MENA region declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 124.7 thousand tons, marking a moderate 5.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 137.8 thousand tons, which represented the largest annual increase of 13.3%.

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

Exports sunflower seeds from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. The lowest export volume occurred in 2017, while the highest was in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 7.7 times. In 2020, MENA's cross-border shipments of sunflower seeds totaled 26.9 thousand tons, reflecting a dramatic 171.9% surge compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 30.3 thousand tons. The largest decline happened in 2019 with a 67.3% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 673.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of sunflower seed exports from MENA was highly diversified. Turkey accounted for 4.2% of exports in kind, Spain for 2.7%, and the United States for 2.1%, together making up just 9.0% of total flows. The remaining 91.0% 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 MENA in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. The lowest export value occurred in 2017, while the highest was in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 5.3 times. In 2020, MENA's cross-border shipments of sunflower seeds totaled 29.5 million US dollars, representing a 47.6% decline from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 56.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 264.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, sunflower seeds from MENA were traded with many countries. Even the largest destinations—Spain, Turkey, and the United States—together accounted for only 11.5% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports sunflower seeds to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of sunflower seeds into MENA declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 380.7 thousand tons, showing a modest 4.5% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 61.9%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 27.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Turkey, and Bulgaria remained the top suppliers of sunflower seeds to MENA. China accounted for 68.1% of imports in kind, Turkey for 8.1%, and Bulgaria for 4.2%, jointly representing 80.3% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, MENA imported a total of 388.8 million US dollars worth of sunflower seeds, down 8.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 4.7%, with an annualized decline rate of 1.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 349.2 million US dollars, which saw the largest annual decline of 14.4%. The maximum value was in 2019 at 424.1 million US dollars, marking the largest annual increase of 21.4%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, imports of sunflower seeds to MENA in value terms were largely concentrated on China, which accounted for 75.3% of total flows. Other countries together made up the remaining share.

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

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