Sunflower seeds market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the sunflower seeds market in Turkey was characterized by a significant reliance on imports to cover the raw material deficit in the oilseed processing industry. The import of seeds and crude oil was subject to ongoing customs duties and price surveillance measures, which contributed to an import volume of 777 thousand tons and a total market size of 2.6 million tons that year.

The market volume peaked at 3.2 million tons in 2019, driven largely by a surge in imports to 1.2 million tons. However, from 2020 onwards, imports began a sustained decline, falling to 746 thousand tons by 2023. Over the same period, domestic production showed strong growth, increasing by more than 30% from 2018 to reach a high of 2.55 million tons in 2022 before contracting to 2.2 million tons in 2023. Consequently, the overall market size gradually decreased, settling at 2.85 million tons in 2023.

Despite these fluctuations, sunflower seed production in Turkey grew by 13% from 2018 to 2023, indicating an expansion of domestic supply. The market's trajectory reflects the interplay between increasing local output and changes in import volumes, against a backdrop of trade policies affecting raw material availability.

Production sunflower seeds Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Turkey was among the world's leading producers of sunflower seeds from 2017 to 2020, ranking sixth globally by production volume.

Top producers of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

In 2020, Turkey produced 2 067 thousand tonnes of sunflower seeds, marking a 1.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.2%, which translates to an average annual increase of 1.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 949 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 2 100 thousand tonnes. The most significant year-on-year rise was in 2019, when production jumped by 7.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Turkey's sunflower seed production value rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 3 469 million US dollars, reflecting a strong year-on-year increase of 10.6%. From 2017 to 2020, the production value surged by 45.3%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.3%.

Annual dynamics of production Turkey in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sunflower seeds to Turkey

Exports in kind, K t

Sunflower seed export volumes from Turkey declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports stood at 115 thousand tonnes, showing little change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 26.2%, which averages out to an annual decrease of 9.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey's sunflower seed exports in kind were distributed across a wide range of markets. The top destinations—the Netherlands (33.1% of exports in kind), Romania (8.8%), and Algeria (7.5%)—collectively accounted for just 49.4% of total export flows, indicating a broad market spread.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Sunflower seed export revenues from Turkey increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 193.6 million US dollars, up 12.3% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 156.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 17.6% that year.

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

During 2017–2020, Russia (14.3% of exports in value terms), the Netherlands (12.4%), and Ukraine (10.9%) were the largest buyers of sunflower seeds from Turkey. However, their combined share was limited to 37.6% of total export value, highlighting a diversified country structure.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports sunflower seeds in Turkey

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year increase, sunflower seed imports into Turkey declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 207 thousand tonnes, down 2.7% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 79.6%, averaging an annual rise of 21.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 239 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 59.4% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia (30.9% of imports in kind), Moldova (28.4%), and Romania (14.4%) were the key partners for Turkey's sunflower seed imports in kind, together representing 73.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Sunflower seed import values into Turkey rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 628.4 million US dollars, showing a robust increase of 10.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import values increased by 70.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.6%.

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

In 2017–2020, Russia (26.7% of imports in value terms), Moldova (24.4%), and China (18.5%) led the list of suppliers for Turkey's sunflower seed imports, jointly accounting for 69.6% of total import value.

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

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