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Analysis and Studies - Products analysis

Sunflower Seeds: import and export

By SkyMinder Sales Enablement Team June 20th 2024

Sunflower seeds, with their ancient origins, have always been used in many fields. The flowers were cultivated around 3000 BC by Native Americans and were then introduced in Europe thanks to Spanish explorers in the 16th century.

This product is so popular due to its health benefits: regular consumption can help enhance heart health, support the immune system, and reduce inflammation thanks to high levels of antioxidants and healthy fats. Sunflower seeds oil, extracted from the seeds, is used for cooking, due to its light flavor, as well as in cosmetics for its moisturizing properties.

In addition to their nutritional uses, they also play a significant role in agriculture, and environmental sustainability: in fact the flowers support biodiversity by attracting pollinators and aid to restore the environment by being used in processes to extract toxic substances from contaminated soil.

In 2022, sunflower seeds were the world's 570th most traded product, with a total trade of $6.82B. 

In 2022 the country which exported sunflower seeds the most was Ukraine with a trade of $1.31B, followed by Romania ($1.09B), Bulgaria ($735M), France ($673M), and China ($671M). Whereas the most significant importer was Bulgaria with a trade of $764M, ahead of Romania ($575M), Hungary ($515M), Netherlands ($514M), and Spain ($438M).

Every country has robust trade relationships with specific regions, indicating strategic economic priorities and geographical benefits. European countries are the dominant exporters, underscoring the continent's significant production capacity and impact on the global sunflower seed market.

Meanwhile, China's focus on neighboring and regional markets highlights its crucial role in supplying sunflower seeds to Asia and the Middle East.

  1. Ukraine (19.2%): 33% Bulgaria, 20.9% Romania, 15.3% Turkey, 13.9% Hungary, 4.59% Moldova, 4.23% France, 1.15% Spain, 0.98% Netherlands
  2. Romania (16%): 23.2% Netherlands, 17% Bulgaria, 16.4% Hungary, 9.59% Portugal, 7.79% Spain, 6.49% Turkey, 6.1% France
  3. Bulgaria (10.8%): 16.3% Netherlands, 14.9% Germany, 9.25% United States, 8.94% Spain, 4.29% Romania, 2.11% Hungary, 3.04% Turkey
  4. France (9.86%): 24.9% Spain, 14.3% Netherlands, 13.5% Germany, 10.7% Belgium, 7.46% Russia, 5.55% Romania, 2.78% Bulgaria, 1.83% Hungary, 1.2% Turkey
  5. China (9.84%): 12.3% Iran, 12.2% Iraq, 9.57% Russia, 8.52% Spain, 7.17% Vietnam, 6.36% Egypt, 4.13% Turkey

This analysis underscores the importance of regional proximity and trade partnerships in shaping the import patterns of garden umbrellas. The imports market is significantly influenced by regional relationships in Eastern Europe, with Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova being major exporters to their neighboring countries.

The Netherlands and Spain show a more diversified portfolio, including both European and global sources.

  1. Bulgaria (11.2%): 56.5% Ukraine, 24.2% Romania, 10.1% Moldova, 2.45% France, 0.3% China
  2. Romania (8.42%): 47.6% Ukraine, 28.7% Moldova, 6.5% France, 5.49% Bulgaria, 3.2% Turkey
  3. Hungary (7.54%): 35.4% Ukraine, 34.8% Romania, 8.22% Slovakia, 3.02% Bulgaria, 2.39% France, 1.08% Turkey
  4. Netherlands (7.53%): 49.1% Romania, 23.3% Bulgaria, 18.8% France, 2.51% Ukraine,
  5. Spain (6.41%): 37.8% France, 19.4% Romania, 15% Bulgaria, 13.1% China, 5.01% Argentina, 3.43% Ukraine

Between 2021 and 2022, the fastest growing exporter was Ukraine, with an increase of $1.24B, ahead of France ($174M), Romania ($157M), Moldova ($144M), and China ($106M).

 

 

  1. Ukraine: from $66.2M to $1.31B
  2. France: from $499M to $673M
  3. Romania: from $931M to $1.09B
  4. Moldova: from $197M to $341M
  5. China: from $565M to $671M

Whereas as regards the imports the country which saw the fastest growth was Bulgaria, with an increase of $389M, followed by Romania ($332M), Hungary ($317M), Netherlands ($202M), and Spain ($154M).

 

 

  1. Bulgaria: from $375M to $764M
  2. Romania: from $243M to $575M
  3. Hungary: from $198M to $515M
  4. Netherlands: from $312M to $514M
  5. Spain: from $284M to $438M

Sources: 

https://oec.world/en