South Africa: Sunflower Seed Market 2024

Sunflower Seed Market Size in South Africa

The South African sunflower seed market reached $X in 2022, increasing by 9.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% 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 +17.6% against 2019 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Sunflower Seed Production in South Africa

In value terms, sunflower seed production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a mild shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the production volume increased by 96%. Sunflower seed production peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the average yield of sunflower seed in South Africa amounted to X tons per ha, picking up by 5.7% against 2021 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the yield increased by 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average sunflower seed yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2020; however, from 2021 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, the sunflower seed harvested area in South Africa expanded slightly to X ha, surging by 2.4% against the previous year. Overall, the harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the sunflower seed harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Sunflower Seed Exports

Exports from South Africa

For the third consecutive year, South Africa recorded growth in overseas shipments of sunflower seed, which increased by 19% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports posted notable growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 68% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sunflower seed exports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, exports showed a notable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 116%. The exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Botswana (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons) and Namibia (X tons) were the main destinations of sunflower seed exports from South Africa, with a combined 79% share of total exports. Kenya, Uganda, Lesotho, Sudan, Pakistan and Swaziland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 18%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Uganda (with a CAGR of +124.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Zimbabwe ($X) remains the key foreign market for sunflower seed exports from South Africa, comprising 52% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kenya ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Pakistan, with an 8.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Zimbabwe totaled +67.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Kenya (-2.8% per year) and Pakistan (-0.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average sunflower seed export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 1.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a slight setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the average export price increased by 150% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Pakistan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Botswana ($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 Swaziland (+9.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sunflower Seed Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of sunflower seed increased by 298% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a perceptible descent. Imports peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sunflower seed imports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 232%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Botswana (X tons) was the main sunflower seed supplier to South Africa, with a 91% share of total imports. Moreover, sunflower seed imports from Botswana exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Spain (X tons), more than tenfold. Malawi (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Botswana totaled -3.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+1,040.3% per year) and Malawi (-19.8% per year).

In value terms, Botswana ($X) constituted the largest supplier of sunflower seed to South Africa, comprising 74% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Spain ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Bulgaria, with a 3.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Botswana stood at -5.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+947.5% per year) and Bulgaria (-10.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average sunflower seed import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -32.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a mild slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 295%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while the price for Botswana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Malawi (+0.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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