Sep 3, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Sunflower-Seed And Safflower Oil – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.
The UK market for sunflower-seed and safflower oil is expected to experience growth in both volume and value from 2024 to 2035. With a forecasted CAGR of +2.9% in volume and +4.5% in value, the market is projected to reach 333K tons and $534M respectively by the end of 2035.
Market Forecast
Driven by rising demand for sunflower-seed and safflower oil in the UK, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +2.9% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 333K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.5% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $534M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Sunflower-Seed And Safflower Oil
In 2024, consumption of sunflower-seed and safflower oil was finally on the rise to reach 243K tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a pronounced setback. Sunflower-seed and safflower oil consumption peaked at 387K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.
The size of the sunflower-seed and safflower oil market in the UK dropped sharply to $330M in 2024, falling by -19.3% 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). In general, consumption, however, recorded a perceptible decline. Sunflower-seed and safflower oil consumption peaked at $552M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.
ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Sunflower-Seed And Safflower Oil
In 2024, production of sunflower-seed and safflower oil in the UK declined to 41K tons, reducing by -2.3% against 2023. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a deep contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at 98K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, sunflower-seed and safflower oil production reduced markedly to $73M in 2024 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a deep reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the production volume increased by 31%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $167M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Sunflower-Seed And Safflower Oil
In 2024, supplies from abroad of sunflower-seed and safflower oil increased by 28% to 210K tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a four-year declining trend. In general, imports, however, saw a pronounced setback. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at 350K tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, sunflower-seed and safflower oil imports shrank significantly to $272M in 2024. Overall, imports, however, saw a noticeable curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $454M in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.
Imports By Country
Ukraine (86K tons), France (68K tons) and Belgium (11K tons) were the main suppliers of sunflower-seed and safflower oil imports to the UK, together accounting for 78% of total imports. Bulgaria, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 19%.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +25.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Ukraine ($93M), France ($92M) and Spain ($20M) constituted the largest sunflower-seed and safflower oil suppliers to the UK, with a combined 75% share of total imports.
In terms of the main suppliers, Spain, with a CAGR of +26.4%, 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.
Imports By Type
Crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil (124K tons) and refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil (86K tons) were the main products of sunflower-seed and safflower oil imports to the UK.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil (with a CAGR of +0.9%).
In value terms, sunflower-seed and safflower oil with the largest imports in the UK were refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil ($138M) and crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil ($134M).
Among the main product categories, crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil, with a CAGR of -0.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review.
Import Prices By Type
The average sunflower-seed and safflower oil import price stood at $1,296 per ton in 2024, which is down by -39.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 46% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $2,137 per ton in 2023, and then declined rapidly in the following year.
Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplied products. In 2024, the product with the highest price was refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil ($1,604 per ton), while the price for crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil totaled $1,081 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 (+1.1%).
Import Prices By Country
In 2024, the average sunflower-seed and safflower oil import price amounted to $1,296 per ton, declining by -39.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 46%. The import price peaked at $2,137 per ton in 2023, and then fell sharply in the following year.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($2,016 per ton), while the price for Bulgaria ($1,075 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+2.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Sunflower-Seed And Safflower Oil
After two years of growth, shipments abroad of sunflower-seed and safflower oil decreased by -38.5% to 9K tons in 2024. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed noticeable growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 174% against the previous year. The exports peaked at 35K tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, sunflower-seed and safflower oil exports dropped notably to $16M in 2024. In general, exports, however, showed mild growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 126%. The exports peaked at $43M in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Exports By Country
The Netherlands (3.3K tons), Ireland (2.8K tons) and Belgium (1.1K tons) were the main destinations of sunflower-seed and safflower oil exports from the UK, with a combined 80% share of total exports. France, Thailand, the United States, Canada, Germany, Norway, Taiwan (Chinese) and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 16%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Canada (with a CAGR of +55.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest markets for sunflower-seed and safflower oil exported from the UK were Ireland ($5.5M), the Netherlands ($4.4M) and Belgium ($1.4M), together comprising 71% of total exports. France, the United States, Thailand, Canada, Germany, Norway, Taiwan (Chinese) and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 20%.
In terms of the main countries of destination, Canada, with a CAGR of +41.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports By Type
Refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil (8.9K tons) was the largest type of sunflower-seed and safflower oil exported from the UK, accounting for a 99% share of total exports. It was followed by crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil (118 tons), with a 1.3% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil exports amounted to +4.6%.
In value terms, refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil ($16M) remains the largest type of sunflower-seed and safflower oil exported from the UK, comprising 98% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil ($344K), with a 2.2% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil exports stood at +2.3%.
Export Prices By Type
The average sunflower-seed and safflower oil export price stood at $1,766 per ton in 2024, dropping by -14% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a perceptible descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $2,586 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil ($2,910 per ton), while the average price for exports of refined sunflower-seed or safflower oil totaled $1,751 per ton.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for the following types: crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil (+3.4%).
Export Prices By Country
The average sunflower-seed and safflower oil export price stood at $1,766 per ton in 2024, falling by -14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a pronounced setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $2,586 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the export prices remained at a lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($4,213 per ton), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($1,270 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Thailand (+6.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.
Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform