Kuwait: Sunflower Seed Market 2025

Sunflower Seed Market Size in Kuwait

In 2022, the Kuwaiti sunflower seed market decreased by -5.5% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Overall, the total consumption indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +87.0% against 2012 indices. Sunflower seed consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Sunflower Seed Exports

Exports from Kuwait

In 2022, sunflower seed exports from Kuwait contracted sharply to X tons, waning by -40.1% on the previous year. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 873%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then shrank significantly in the following year.

In value terms, sunflower seed exports contracted markedly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 1,432%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Qatar (X tons) was the main destination for sunflower seed exports from Kuwait, with a 74% share of total exports. Moreover, sunflower seed exports to Qatar exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Bahrain (X tons), ninefold. The third position in this ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Qatar stood at +92.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Bahrain (+54.9% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+31.8% per year).

In value terms, Qatar ($X) remains the key foreign market for sunflower seed exports from Kuwait, comprising 67% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Bahrain, with a 9.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Qatar stood at +62.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Saudi Arabia (+13.3% per year) and Bahrain (+62.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average sunflower seed export price amounted to $X per ton, remaining constant against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 57% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Bahrain (+4.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Sunflower Seed Imports

Imports into Kuwait

In 2022, supplies from abroad of sunflower seed decreased by -5.4% to X tons for the first time since 2014, thus ending a seven-year rising trend. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +95.0% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, sunflower seed imports dropped to $X in 2022. In general, total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +91.5% against 2012 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 18%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then contracted in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of sunflower seed to Kuwait, accounting for a 64% share of total imports. Moreover, sunflower seed imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Egypt (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Argentina (X tons), with an 8.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China totaled +5.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Egypt (+39.1% per year) and Argentina (+5.2% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of sunflower seed to Kuwait, comprising 68% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Egypt ($X), with an 8.8% share of total imports. It was followed by Argentina, with a 4.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China amounted to +5.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Egypt (+45.7% per year) and Argentina (+0.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average sunflower seed import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -2.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 7.1% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Bulgaria ($X per ton), while the price for Argentina ($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 (+7.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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