Africa: Sunflower Seed Market 2025

Sunflower Seed Market Size in Africa

The African sunflower seed market rose to $X in 2022, growing by 4.9% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Sunflower Seed Production in Africa

In value terms, sunflower seed production rose notably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a mild setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 67%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Tanzania (X tons), South Africa (X tons) and Uganda (X tons), with a combined 85% share of total production. Sudan, Zambia, South Sudan and Malawi lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 11%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Zambia (with a CAGR of +12.3%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average sunflower seed yield totaled X tons per ha in 2022, surging by 2.9% compared with the previous year. In general, the yield saw a slight increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the yield increased by 12% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of sunflower seed production in Africa contracted to X ha, which is down by -1.7% against 2021. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the harvested area increased by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to sunflower seed production reached the maximum at X ha in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Sunflower Seed Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of sunflower seed increased by 55% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after four years of decline. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable curtailment. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sunflower seed exports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Botswana (X tons) and Egypt (X tons) represented the major exporters of sunflower seed in 2022, reaching near 33% and 24% of total exports, respectively. Swaziland (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Tanzania (X tons), South Africa (X tons) and Malawi (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 37% share of total exports. Uganda (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Swaziland (with a CAGR of +16.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Egypt ($X), South Africa ($X) and Botswana ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 83% share of total exports. Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Malawi lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 15%.

Among the main exporting countries, Swaziland, with a CAGR of +16.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 1.9% against the previous year. Export price indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, sunflower seed export price increased by +65.0% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uganda (+4.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Sunflower Seed Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of sunflower seed were imported in Africa; reducing by -24.8% on the previous year's figure. In general, imports showed a noticeable decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 50% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sunflower seed imports fell markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a noticeable reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 27%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Egypt represented the major importing country with an import of around X tons, which reached 51% of total imports. Algeria (X tons) took a 14% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by South Africa (11%), Morocco (6.6%), Tunisia (6.4%) and Libya (5.3%).

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to sunflower seed imports into Egypt stood at -6.7%. At the same time, Algeria (+11.7%), Libya (+10.5%) and Tunisia (+9.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Algeria emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +11.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, South Africa (-4.6%) and Morocco (-10.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Algeria (+11 p.p.), Tunisia (+4.7 p.p.) and Libya (+4.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Morocco and Egypt saw its share reduced by -5.5% and -14.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sunflower seed in Africa, comprising 53% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Algeria ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Morocco, with an 8.9% share.

In Egypt, sunflower seed imports plunged by an average annual rate of -7.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Algeria (+16.7% per year) and Morocco (+6.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the import price increased by 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Morocco ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Morocco (+18.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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