MERCOSUR: Sunflower Seed Market 2025

Sunflower Seed Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR sunflower seed market shrank to $X in 2022, falling by -6.1% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a perceptible downturn. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Sunflower Seed Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, sunflower seed production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 61%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Argentina (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of sunflower seed production, accounting for 96% of total volume. It was followed by Brazil (X tons), with a 2.1% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Argentina was relatively modest.

In 2022, the average yield of sunflower seed in MERCOSUR stood at X tons per ha, approximately reflecting the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the yield increased by 32%. 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 harvested area of sunflower seed in MERCOSUR shrank slightly to X ha, with a decrease of -3.7% against 2021. Over the period under review, the harvested area showed a mild reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Sunflower Seed Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, the amount of sunflower seed exported in MERCOSUR surged to X tons, jumping by 108% on the year before. Overall, exports saw a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 141%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, sunflower seed exports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports posted a mild increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 93% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Argentina prevails in exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was near 97% of total exports in 2022. Chile (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

Argentina was also the fastest-growing in terms of the sunflower seed exports, with a CAGR of +6.9% from 2012 to 2022. Chile (-1.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Argentina (+3.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Chile (-2.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Argentina ($X) remains the largest sunflower seed supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 86% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Chile ($X), with a 13% share of total exports.

In Argentina, sunflower seed exports increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, waning by -10.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a perceptible slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the export price increased by 30% 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 Chile ($X per ton), while Argentina stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+0.3%).

Sunflower Seed Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, imports of sunflower seed in MERCOSUR reduced rapidly to X tons, with a decrease of -18.1% against the year before. Over the period under review, imports recorded a perceptible shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 32% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sunflower seed imports soared to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Brazil represented the key importing country with an import of about X tons, which reached 57% of total imports. Colombia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 14% share, followed by Ecuador (6.9%), Argentina (6.1%) and Peru (5.7%). Chile (X tons) and Uruguay (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Brazil experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of sunflower seed. At the same time, Chile (+24.7%), Peru (+7.4%), Uruguay (+6.6%), Ecuador (+2.4%) and Colombia (+1.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Chile emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +24.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Argentina (-15.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Brazil (+18 p.p.), Colombia (+5 p.p.), Chile (+4 p.p.), Peru (+3.7 p.p.), Ecuador (+3 p.p.) and Uruguay (+2.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Argentina saw its share reduced by -16.9% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Argentina ($X), Brazil ($X) and Chile ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 78% share of total imports. Uruguay, Colombia, Peru and Ecuador lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 20%.

Among the main importing countries, Uruguay, with a CAGR of +16.8%, saw the highest growth rate of 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 MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, surging by 68% against the previous year. Import price indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, sunflower seed import price increased by +80.7% against 2017 indices. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 Argentina ($X per ton), while Ecuador ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+26.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform