Sunflower seeds market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian sunflower seeds market grew from 12,710 thousand tons in 2018 to 14,717 thousand tons in 2019, driven by steady expansion of cultivation areas and rising yields, supported by government subsidies for seeds and fertilizers. In 2020, market volume dropped to 12,007 thousand tons, primarily due to a temporary reduction in the export duty on seeds to 6.5%, which boosted exports and reduced domestic supply, alongside increased consumer stockpiling demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From 2021, the market recovered sharply, reaching 18,338 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was fueled by the imposition of a high export duty on sunflower seeds (50%, not less than €320/t) from July 2021, which restricted exports and increased domestic availability for processors, coupled with record harvests in 2022 and 2023. Innovations in seed breeding, including herbicide-resistant hybrids and new confectionery varieties, and the launch of new processing facilities like the oil extraction plant in Novoanninsky enhanced production capacity, while the exit of Bunge from the Russian market in 2022 marked a shift in competitive dynamics.

In 2024, adverse weather conditions such as drought limited yields, while the continuation of export duties on seeds (20%, not less than €100/t) and the floating duty on oil maintain price stability, and the startup of the new Agropriem plant in Rostov Oblast adds to national processing capacity.

Production sunflower seeds in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia was the world's second-largest producer of sunflower seeds.

Top producers of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

After rising for two consecutive years, sunflower seed production in Russia declined in 2020. That year, Russia produced 13 314 thousand tonnes of sunflower seeds, marking a significant 13.4% drop compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017–2020 period, production grew by 27%, which translates to an average annual increase of 8.3%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 15 379 thousand tonnes, while the largest year-on-year surge occurred in 2018 at 21.7%.

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

Exports sunflower seeds from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for sunflower seeds showed considerable volatility during these years. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at just 87 thousand tonnes, with a sharp decline of 72.3% that year. However, by 2020, exports rebounded strongly to 1 370 thousand tonnes, up 91.9% from the previous year. The most dramatic increase was recorded in 2019 at 719.8%. Overall, from 2018 to 2020, the difference between the peak and trough was 16-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Belarus were the primary destinations for Russia's sunflower seed exports by volume. Turkey accounted for 45.8% of exports, Bulgaria for 16.9%, and Belarus for 7.3%. Together, these three markets made up 70.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of sunflower seed exports also displayed an unstable trend over this period. In 2018, exports reached their minimum at 49.9 million US dollars, falling by 62.3% that year. By 2020, exports surged to 562.5 million US dollars, a 121.6% increase year-over-year. The largest jump occurred in 2019 at 408.9%. The gap between the 2018 low and the 2020 high was 11.3 times.

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

In terms of value from 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Belarus were the top markets for Russia's sunflower seed exports, collectively representing 68.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sunflower seeds to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

Sunflower seed imports into Russia increased for the second year in a row in 2020, reaching 63 thousand tonnes, up 21.0% from 2019. However, over the 2017–2020 period, imports overall decreased by 40.5%, with an average annual decline of 15.9%. The lowest point was in 2018 at 41 thousand tonnes, when imports fell by 61.2%. The largest increase was in 2019 at 26.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Turkey, and the United States were the main sources of sunflower seed imports by volume into Russia. Ukraine contributed 41.4% of imports, Turkey 14.7%, and the United States 13.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for 70.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, sunflower seed imports into Russia amounted to 332.7 million US dollars, showing a moderate 9.0% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 span, imports increased by 11.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. The largest decline was a slight 0.5% in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Turkey, and France were the leading sources of sunflower seed imports by value into Russia. The United States made up 30.7% of imports, Turkey 23.4%, and France 15.8%. Combined, these three countries represented 69.9% of total import value.

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

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