Europe: Sunflower Seed Market 2025

Sunflower Seed Market Size in Europe

The Europe sunflower seed market declined to $X in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sunflower Seed Production in Europe

In value terms, sunflower seed production contracted slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +2.7% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Ukraine (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Romania (X tons), together comprising 79% of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +6.8%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average sunflower seed yield in Europe shrank to X tons per ha, which is down by -5.2% on 2021. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the yield increased by 24% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of sunflower seed were harvested in Europe; with a decrease of -3.3% against the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to sunflower seed production attained the maximum at X ha in 2021, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

Sunflower Seed Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2022, shipments abroad of sunflower seed was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Total exports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sunflower seed exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports posted resilient growth. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Ukraine (X tons) represented the main exporter of sunflower seed, comprising 40% of total exports. Romania (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Bulgaria (X tons), France (X tons) and Moldova (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 46% share of total exports. The following exporters - Hungary (X tons) and Slovakia (X tons) - together made up 6.1% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Ukraine (with a CAGR of +25.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sunflower seed supplying countries in Europe were Ukraine ($X), Romania ($X) and Bulgaria ($X), with a combined 60% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Ukraine, with a CAGR of +22.5%, recorded 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

In 2022, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -11.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 44% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then reduced in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+5.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sunflower Seed Imports

Imports in Europe

After two years of decline, purchases abroad of sunflower seed increased by 65% to X tons in 2022. Total imports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sunflower seed imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, imports enjoyed a buoyant expansion. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Bulgaria (X tons), distantly followed by Hungary (X tons), Romania (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Spain (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Portugal (X tons) were the major importers of sunflower seed, together mixing up 75% of total imports. The Czech Republic (X tons), Austria (X tons), France (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Moldova (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +59.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sunflower seed importing markets in Europe were Bulgaria ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Romania ($X), together accounting for 37% of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Bulgaria, with a CAGR of +34.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 30% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then declined in the following year.

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 France ($X per ton), while Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+5.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform