Sunflower seeds market Ukraine

Earlier Report Observations

The sunflower seeds market in Ukraine showed notable movements from 2018 to 2021. The market volume increased from 14 136 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 15 205 thousand tonnes in 2019, then declined to 12 944 thousand tonnes in 2020. A sharp rebound followed in 2021, reaching 16 332 thousand tonnes. This surge was primarily driven by rising global prices for oil and soy, which lifted demand and intensified competition for available seeds, pushing up procurement costs. Earlier, in 2018, record production had led to oversupply as processing capacities struggled to keep pace, resulting in low purchase prices.

The market contracted drastically to 8 584 thousand tonnes in 2022 due to the impact of war, which reduced the raw material base, lowered production, and prompted farmers to prioritize more profitable crops. Exports were also disrupted. Government measures eased imports of seeds for propagation. In 2023, partial recovery to 11 992 thousand tonnes occurred, supported by sustained domestic demand from processing plants and the introduction of new hybrid varieties adapted to local conditions, including herbicide-resistant seeds.

Production sunflower seeds Ukraine

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Ukraine was one of the world's top producers of sunflower seeds from 2017 to 2020, ranking first globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

Sunflower seed production in Ukraine declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 13 110 K t of sunflower seeds, marking a significant 14.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 7.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 15 254 K t, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 at 15.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sunflower seed production in Ukraine declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 4 547 M $ US, representing a substantial 29.1% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 8.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 2.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 6 812 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 37.1%.

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

Exports sunflower seeds to Ukraine

Exports in kind, K t

The export market showed considerable volatility throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 58.7 K t and peaked in 2020 at 187.9 K t, representing a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ukraine exported 187.9 K t of sunflower seeds, reflecting a remarkable 128.4% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 19.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey (32.0% of exports in kind), Bulgaria (26.1% of exports in kind), and Italy (5.4% of exports in kind) were the primary buyers of Ukrainian sunflower seeds, collectively accounting for 63.5% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was recorded in 2018 at 28.2 M $ US, while exports peaked in 2020 at 65.2 M $ US, representing a 2.3-fold difference. In 2020, Ukraine's sunflower seed exports reached 65.2 M $ US, an 88.5% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 5.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Turkey (25.4% of exports in value terms), Bulgaria (21.1% of exports in value terms), and Italy (6.2% of exports in value terms) remained the key export partners, together accounting for 52.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sunflower seeds in Ukraine

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Ukraine's sunflower seed imports declined. In 2020, the country imported 21.0 K t of sunflower seeds, showing a sharp 36.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 15.5%, with an average annual decline of 5.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 33.0 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 20.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (29.3% of imports in kind), Turkey (26.7% of imports in kind), and France (11.4% of imports in kind) were the leading sources of sunflower seed imports to Ukraine, together comprising 67.4% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Ukraine's sunflower seed import values declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 218.4 M $ US, representing a substantial 12.3% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 5.2%, with an average annual decline of 1.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 258.3 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 12.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, three principal markets — the United States, Turkey, and France — together accounted for 79.8% of the total value of sunflower seed imports to Ukraine.

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

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