MENA: Sunflower Seed Market 2025

Sunflower Seed Market Size in MENA

The MENA's sunflower seed market stood at $X in 2022, stabilizing at the previous year. In general, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Sunflower Seed Production in MENA

In value terms, sunflower seed production expanded modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Turkey (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of sunflower seed production, comprising approx. 94% of total volume. It was followed by Iran (X tons), with a 2.6% share of total production.

In Turkey, sunflower seed production expanded at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the period from 2012-2022.

In 2022, the average sunflower seed yield in MENA amounted to X tons per ha, with an increase of 2% compared with the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, the sunflower seed yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2020; 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 MENA fell to X ha, with a decrease of -8.3% compared with the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 20%. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha, and then reduced in the following year.

Sunflower Seed Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2022, shipments abroad of sunflower seed increased by 2.8% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, exports recorded prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 72% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sunflower seed exports rose modestly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 33%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Turkey dominates exports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 91% of total exports in 2022. Egypt (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Turkey increased at an average annual rate of +11.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Egypt (+11.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Egypt emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MENA, with a CAGR of +11.9% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Turkey increased by +18 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest sunflower seed supplier in MENA, comprising 93% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Egypt ($X), with a 2.7% share of total exports.

In Turkey, sunflower seed exports increased at an average annual rate of +8.5% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the export price increased by 37% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per ton), while Egypt totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+2.1%).

Sunflower Seed Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2022, purchases abroad of sunflower seed was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Overall, imports showed modest growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 46% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sunflower seed imports rose notably to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -7.1% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 36% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Turkey dominates imports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 77% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Iraq (X tons), creating a 6.8% share of total imports. The following importers - Egypt (X tons), Iran (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) - together made up 9.6% of total imports.

Turkey experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of sunflower seed. At the same time, Iraq (+22.3%) and Iran (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Iraq emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MENA, with a CAGR of +22.3% from 2012-2022. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates (-2.4%) and Egypt (-6.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Iraq increased by +5.7 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sunflower seed in MENA, comprising 68% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Iraq ($X), with a 9.1% share of total imports. It was followed by Egypt, with a 5.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Turkey amounted to +3.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Iraq (+21.9% per year) and Egypt (-7.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, flattening at the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the import price increased by 38%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 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 Egypt ($X per ton), while Turkey ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+2.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform