Sunflower seeds market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The sunflower seeds market in South-eastern Asia reached its highest volume of 320 thousand tons in 2018, supported by robust per capita income growth and an expanding middle class in Vietnam, which increased overall consumer demand for food products.

After a contraction to 269 thousand tons by 2021, market volume rebounded to 298 thousand tons in 2022, a period marked by notable financial market activity and cross-border merger and acquisition deals involving Vietnamese firms. The market then eased to 285 thousand tons in 2023, a year in which the Vietnamese government extended a 2% value-added tax reduction to mid-2025 to stimulate retail spending and consumer interest in organic and natural products continued to grow.

Production sunflower seeds in South-eastern Asia

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 South-eastern Asia has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 235.4 thousand tonnes of sunflower seeds, representing a 6.3% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 14%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports sunflower seeds from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for sunflower seeds from South-eastern Asia showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 13.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the region exported 1 148 tonnes of sunflower seeds, marking an 87.2% decrease from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 8 960 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 733.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of sunflower seeds from South-eastern Asia were India, accounting for 51.6% of exports in volume, the United Kingdom with 10.5%, and Belgium with 9.3%. Together, these three countries comprised 71.4% of total exports in volume.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for sunflower seeds from South-eastern Asia exhibited irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2019, with a 4.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments were valued at 2 065 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp decrease of 65.4% compared to 2019. The maximum value was reached in 2019 at 5 967 thousand US dollars, and the largest year-on-year increase was in 2018 at 241.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India remained the leading destination for sunflower seed exports from South-eastern Asia in value terms, accounting for 50.2% of total exports. The United Kingdom followed with 8.2%, and Belgium with 7.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 65.6% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports sunflower seeds to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of sunflower seeds into South-eastern Asia showed considerable volatility. The lowest volume was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2018, with a 2.3-fold gap between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 47 808 tonnes, indicating a significant increase of 19.7% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 66 831 tonnes. The largest decline was in 2019 at 40.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 128.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China was the dominant source for sunflower seed imports into South-eastern Asia, accounting for 72.4% of total imports in volume. The remaining imports were distributed among various other countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values for sunflower seeds into South-eastern Asia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 55 544 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 20.9% advance compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import values grew by 83.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China dominated the import partner structure for South-eastern Asia in value terms, holding an 86.9% share of total imports. Other markets contributed comparatively modest shares to the total.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020