Aug 28, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: EU – Sunflower-Seed And Safflower Oil – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.
Driven by rising demand, the sunflower-seed and safflower oil market in the European Union is projected to expand with a CAGR of +1.7% in volume and +2.6% in value from 2024 to 2035. By the end of 2035, the market volume is expected to reach 12M tons and the market value is forecasted to reach $15.9B in nominal prices.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for sunflower-seed and safflower oil in the European Union, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.7% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 12M tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $15.9B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionEuropean Union’s Consumption of Sunflower-Seed And Safflower Oil
Sunflower-seed and safflower oil consumption skyrocketed to 9.9M tons in 2024, with an increase of 26% against the year before. The total consumption indicated a resilient increase from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.
The revenue of the sunflower-seed and safflower oil market in the European Union skyrocketed to $12B in 2024, with an increase of 23% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a prominent expansion. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $16.8B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
Consumption By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Spain (2.1M tons), Italy (1.4M tons) and France (1.2M tons), with a combined 47% share of total consumption. Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Belgium, Germany and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 42%.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +19.7%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest sunflower-seed and safflower oil markets in the European Union were Spain ($2.8B), Italy ($2B) and France ($1.5B), together comprising 52% of the total market. Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Belgium, Germany and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.
Among the main consuming countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +18.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In 2024, the highest levels of sunflower-seed and safflower oil per capita consumption was registered in Bulgaria (180 kg per person), followed by Hungary (89 kg per person), Belgium (50 kg per person) and Spain (44 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of sunflower-seed and safflower oil was estimated at 22 kg per person.
In Bulgaria, sunflower-seed and safflower oil per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +17.7% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Hungary (+19.2% per year) and Belgium (+2.6% per year).
ProductionEuropean Union’s Production of Sunflower-Seed And Safflower Oil
In 2024, sunflower-seed and safflower oil production in the European Union rose slightly to 7.7M tons, with an increase of 4.1% against the year before. The total production indicated a notable increase from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, production decreased by -10.7% against 2022 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 16%. The volume of production peaked at 8.6M tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, sunflower-seed and safflower oil production expanded to $9.9B in 2024 estimated in export price. Overall, production posted a temperate expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 48%. The level of production peaked at $15.8B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Production By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Bulgaria (1.4M tons), Spain (1.3M tons) and Hungary (1.3M tons), with a combined 52% share of total production.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +12.2%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
ImportsEuropean Union’s Imports of Sunflower-Seed And Safflower Oil
Sunflower-seed and safflower oil imports skyrocketed to 5.7M tons in 2024, increasing by 19% compared with 2023. Total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports increased by +42.0% against 2021 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when imports increased by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2024 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.
In value terms, sunflower-seed and safflower oil imports rose to $6.4B in 2024. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when imports increased by 56%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $8.5B. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Imports By Country
Spain (988K tons), the Netherlands (790K tons), Italy (750K tons), Belgium (642K tons) and Poland (527K tons) represented roughly 65% of total imports in 2024. France (350K tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 6.2% share, followed by Bulgaria (6.1%) and Germany (5.9%).
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +30.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest sunflower-seed and safflower oil importing markets in the European Union were Spain ($1.1B), Belgium ($925M) and the Netherlands ($825M), with a combined 44% share of total imports. Italy, Poland, France, Germany and Bulgaria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 40%.
Bulgaria, with a CAGR of +28.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Imports By Type
In 2024, crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil (4.2M tons) represented the major type of sunflower-seed and safflower oil, generating 74% of total imports. It was distantly followed by refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil (1.5M tons), committing a 26% share of total imports.
Crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil was also the fastest-growing in terms of imports, with a CAGR of +7.6% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil (+5.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil (+5.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil saw its share reduced by -5.1% from 2013 to 2024, respectively.
In value terms, crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil ($4.3B) constitutes the largest type of sunflower-seed and safflower oil imported in the European Union, comprising 68% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil ($2B), with a 32% share of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil imports amounted to +5.8%.
Import Prices By Type
The import price in the European Union stood at $1,119 per ton in 2024, falling by -14.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a mild reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 50%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $1,657 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major imported products. In 2024, the product with the highest price was refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil ($1,356 per ton), while the price for crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil totaled $1,034 per ton.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil (-0.6%).
Import Prices By Country
The import price in the European Union stood at $1,119 per ton in 2024, reducing by -14.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a slight decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 50%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $1,657 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2024, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Belgium ($1,442 per ton) and Germany ($1,237 per ton), while Poland ($998 per ton) and Bulgaria ($1,010 per ton) were amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+0.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.
ExportsEuropean Union’s Exports of Sunflower-Seed And Safflower Oil
Sunflower-seed and safflower oil exports contracted rapidly to 3.4M tons in 2024, shrinking by -19.2% compared with 2023. Total exports indicated moderate growth from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, exports decreased by -19.3% against 2022 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 4.3M tons. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, sunflower-seed and safflower oil exports contracted sharply to $4.1B in 2024. Overall, exports, however, showed a notable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 63%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $7.5B. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Exports By Country
The shipments of the four major exporters of sunflower-seed and safflower oil, namely the Netherlands, Hungary, Bulgaria and France, represented more than half of total export. Spain (258K tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Poland (210K tons) and Romania (189K tons). All these countries together took near 19% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +32.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the Netherlands ($733M), Hungary ($646M) and Bulgaria ($570M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2024, with a combined 47% share of total exports. France, Spain, Poland and Romania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.
Poland, with a CAGR of +28.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports By Type
In 2024, crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil (1.9M tons), distantly followed by refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil (1.5M tons) represented the main types of sunflower-seed and safflower oil, together achieving 100% of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exported products, was attained by crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil (with a CAGR of +4.7%).
In value terms, refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil ($2.1B) and crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil ($2B) constituted the products with the highest levels of exports in 2024.
In terms of the main exported products, crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil, with a CAGR of +3.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review.
Export Prices By Type
In 2024, the export price in the European Union amounted to $1,205 per ton, falling by -13.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a slight curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the export price increased by 39% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $1,750 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exported products. In 2024, the product with the highest price was refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil ($1,421 per ton), while the average price for exports of crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil amounted to $1,036 per ton.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil (-0.3%).
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the export price in the European Union amounted to $1,205 per ton, reducing by -13.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a slight descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the export price increased by 39%. The level of export peaked at $1,750 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, 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 Spain ($1,568 per ton), while Poland ($1,028 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+1.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.
Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform