Sunflower seeds market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The sunflower seed market in Zambia showed strong overall growth between 2018 and 2023, despite a temporary dip in 2019. Production initially stood at 47 594 tonnes in 2018, supported by the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) which provided inputs like seeds and fertilizers to small-scale farmers. The following year saw a contraction to 34 193 tonnes, but government efforts to improve seed quality through the Seed Control and Certification Institute and enforce compulsory standards via the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency maintained a foundation for recovery. By 2020, market volume rebounded to 50 456 tonnes, aided by continued FISP distribution and national policy reviews aiming to strengthen private sector involvement in agriculture.

From 2021 onward, production and market size expanded markedly, reaching 91 127 tonnes by 2023. This surge was facilitated by the introduction of an e-voucher system under FISP in 2022, making input distribution more efficient for farmers. Simultaneously, the Zambia Agribusiness & Trade Project worked to address infrastructural and informational gaps in the agribusiness sector, while the Ministry of Agriculture directly contracted suppliers to deliver certified sunflower seeds for the 2023/24 farming season. Regulatory emphasis on clear labeling and quality certification further bolstered consumer confidence and market integrity.

Production sunflower seeds in Zambia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of decline, Zambia's sunflower seed production rebounded. In 2019, production hit its lowest point at 34 208 tonnes, but then surged by 47.5% in 2020 to reach 50 451 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 28.1%.

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

Exports sunflower seeds from Zambia

Exports in kind, kg

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018, then peaked in 2019, showing a {ampRatio}-fold increase between these years. In 2020, Zambia exported 1 633 kg of sunflower seeds, representing a sharp decline of 92.9% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zambia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Malawi and South Africa consistently served as Zambia's primary markets for sunflower seed exports in volume terms, together accounting for 93.4% of total exports, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed significant volatility throughout this period. Export values reached their highest point in 2018 at 48.4 thousand US dollars, then plummeted to their lowest in 2020 at just 1.5 thousand US dollars, creating a 32-fold gap between these years. The 2020 figure marked a dramatic 91.6% decrease from the previous year. The most substantial growth occurred in 2018, when export values surged by 1 714.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa and France remained Zambia's main export markets in value terms, jointly representing 80.6% of total export revenue, with other trading partners accounting for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports sunflower seeds to Zambia

Imports in kind, kg

Import volumes followed an unstable pattern during this timeframe. The lowest volume was recorded in 2017, while imports peaked in 2019 at 8 473 kg, representing a {ampRatio}-fold increase from the trough. In 2020, Zambia imported 7 204 kg of sunflower seeds, reflecting a 15.0% decrease compared to 2019. The most significant growth occurred in 2019, when import volumes jumped by 1 743.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zambia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa dominated Zambia's sunflower seed imports in volume terms, accounting for 76.5% of total imports, while other markets represented smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Zambia's sunflower seed import values declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled approximately 7.7 thousand US dollars, representing a 10.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, import values fell by 98.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -74.3%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Malawi was the central partner for Zambia's sunflower seed imports in value terms, accounting for 89.8% of total import spending, while other markets played more limited roles.

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

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