Sunflower Oil Market Share & Trends [2033]

Sunflower Oil Market Overview

The Sunflower Oil Market size was valued at USD 5.17 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 9.43 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2025 to 2033.

The global sunflower oil market is a significant segment within the vegetable oil industry, with an estimated production volume of approximately 20 million metric tons in 2023. Sunflower oil is extracted from the seeds of the sunflower plant, which covers over 25 million hectares of agricultural land worldwide. The primary producing countries include Ukraine, Russia, Argentina, and Turkey, accounting collectively for nearly 60% of global sunflower seed production. Sunflower oil is recognized for its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid, which makes up about 65-70% of its composition, and its light taste, making it a preferred choice in culinary applications.

The oil is used extensively in cooking, food processing, cosmetics, and industrial applications. In 2023, cooking oil represented roughly 70% of total sunflower oil consumption, while cosmetics and industrial uses accounted for the remaining 30%. Sunflower oil is notable for its high smoke point of approximately 232°C, making it suitable for frying and baking purposes. Production capacities have increased steadily, with the global crush capacity of sunflower seeds exceeding 35 million metric tons annually.

Sunflower oil is traded widely on international commodity exchanges, with the global export volume reaching 7.5 million metric tons in 2023. The market has shown a trend toward high-oleic sunflower oil varieties, which accounted for approximately 30% of total production in the previous year, owing to their higher oxidative stability and longer shelf life.

Key Findings

DRIVER: Increasing demand for healthier cooking oils with beneficial fatty acid profiles.

COUNTRY/REGION: Ukraine leads as the top producer and exporter of sunflower oil.

SEGMENT: The cooking oil segment dominates, comprising nearly 70% of total consumption.

Sunflower Oil Market Trends

In recent years, sunflower oil has gained considerable traction as a preferred vegetable oil globally, primarily due to its health benefits and versatility in cooking and industrial use. The demand for high-oleic sunflower oil varieties has increased sharply, rising from 20% in 2018 to over 30% in 2023 of total sunflower oil production. This trend is fueled by consumer preference for oils with higher monounsaturated fats, which are more stable during high-temperature cooking.

The adoption of sunflower oil in the food processing industry is expanding, with the segment consuming around 6 million metric tons in 2023, up from 4.8 million metric tons in 2020. Manufacturers increasingly use sunflower oil in the production of snacks, baked goods, and ready-to-eat meals due to its neutral flavor and frying stability.

Sustainability has become a critical focus, with sunflower cultivation areas incorporating eco-friendly farming practices. Approximately 40% of sunflower crops in major producing countries are now cultivated using precision agriculture and integrated pest management, reducing pesticide use by 15% compared to conventional farming.

Emerging markets in Asia-Pacific and Africa have demonstrated growing consumption, with Asia-Pacific's share of global demand increasing from 12% in 2015 to 20% in 2023. This is driven by rising urbanization and changes in dietary habits. Concurrently, industrial applications, including bio-lubricants and cosmetics, now consume around 3.5 million metric tons of sunflower oil annually.

Additionally, trade flows have adjusted significantly due to geopolitical factors, with Ukraine and Russia producing approximately 55% of global exports. Export volumes have fluctuated between 6.5 to 7.5 million metric tons annually over the past five years. These fluctuations have encouraged importing countries to diversify their sources and invest in domestic production capacities.

Sunflower Oil Market Dynamics

Sunflower oil market dynamics refer to the various factors and forces that influence the growth, development, and fluctuations within the global sunflower oil industry. These dynamics encompass drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges shaping production, consumption, trade, and pricing patterns.

DRIVER

Rising demand for healthy and versatile cooking oils worldwide.

The foremost driver for the sunflower oil market is the increasing consumer preference for oils with healthier fatty acid compositions. Sunflower oil contains about 65-70% polyunsaturated fatty acids, including linoleic acid, which contributes to heart health. This nutritional profile has made it a favored choice in households and foodservice sectors, contributing to global consumption reaching over 14 million metric tons in 2023. The expanding food processing industry consumes more than 6 million metric tons, which accounts for approximately 30% of the total sunflower oil market. Rising health awareness and increased demand for non-GMO and organic sunflower oil varieties, which represent 12% of the market, further stimulate growth.

RESTRAINT

Price volatility due to geopolitical tensions and crop yield uncertainties.

One of the main restraints affecting the sunflower oil market is the price volatility caused by geopolitical tensions, especially in major producing countries like Ukraine and Russia. For instance, between 2022 and 2023, sunflower oil prices fluctuated between USD 1,200 to USD 1,800 per metric ton on international markets. Crop yields are heavily influenced by climatic conditions; for example, droughts in Argentina in 2023 led to a reduction in seed production by 10%, impacting global supply. These uncertainties make it challenging for buyers and processors to plan long-term procurement and pricing strategies.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion into high-oleic sunflower oil for food and industrial uses.

High-oleic sunflower oil, with oleic acid content exceeding 80%, offers greater oxidative stability and longer shelf life, creating new opportunities. This segment accounted for about 30% of total sunflower oil production in 2023 and is projected to see rising adoption in food industries requiring high-temperature frying oils. Additionally, high-oleic oil is gaining traction in industrial applications such as bio-lubricants and cosmetics, which consumed over 1.5 million metric tons in 2023. The expanding use in these sectors offers potential for investment and product diversification.

CHALLENGE

Fluctuations in sunflower seed production due to weather and agronomic factors.

The sunflower oil market faces significant challenges from variability in seed production. Weather-related issues such as droughts, excessive rainfall, and pest infestations affect yields. For example, in 2023, Russian sunflower seed output dropped by 8%, impacting global supply. Additionally, the fragmented nature of sunflower farming, with many smallholder farmers cultivating less than 2 hectares, complicates efforts to improve yield and quality uniformly. This leads to inconsistent supply volumes and occasional quality concerns, impacting processing efficiencies.

Sunflower Oil Market Segmentation

The sunflower oil market is segmented by type into high-oleic, mid-oleic, and linoleic varieties, each with unique fatty acid compositions and applications. High-oleic sunflower oil, making up about 30% of production, is valued for its stability and is used in frying and industrial applications. Mid-oleic sunflower oil comprises around 25% and balances oleic and linoleic acids for culinary uses. Linoleic sunflower oil dominates with 45% share due to its rich polyunsaturated fatty acid content, favored in home cooking and health-focused products. By application, cooking oil remains dominant with 70% of total consumption, while cosmetics and industrial uses share the remaining 30%, primarily in bio-lubricants and skincare products.

By Type

High-Oleic Sunflower Oil: High-oleic sunflower oil contains over 80% oleic acid, contributing to enhanced oxidative stability and a longer shelf life. Production of this variety reached approximately 6 million metric tons in 2023, representing a 30% share of the total sunflower oil market. Its heat resistance, with a smoke point of around 232°C, makes it ideal for deep frying and high-temperature cooking.
Mid-Oleic Sunflower Oil: Mid-oleic sunflower oil offers a balanced fatty acid profile, containing approximately 50-70% oleic acid and 20-30% linoleic acid. Its production volume was near 5 million metric tons in 2023, accounting for 25% of the market
Linoleic Sunflower Oil: Linoleic sunflower oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, predominantly linoleic acid at 65-70%. It held the largest production share, estimated at 9 million metric tons in 2023, comprising 45% of the global sunflower oil market. This variety is primarily used in home cooking and the foodservice sector due to its nutritional benefits.

By Application

cooking oil: The cooking oil application remains the largest consumer of sunflower oil, with approximately 14 million metric tons consumed in 2023. This segment covers household cooking, restaurants, and food processing, accounting for about 70% of the market.
cosmetics industry: The cosmetics industry consumed around 2 million metric tons, using sunflower oil for its moisturizing and antioxidant properties in skincare and hair care products.
Industrial applications: Industrial applications, including bio-lubricants and biodiesel blending, utilized roughly 4 million metric tons in 2023, reflecting a growing trend toward sustainable industrial oils.

Regional Outlook for the Sunflower Oil Market

The global sunflower oil market exhibits distinct regional characteristics. North America’s market size was estimated at 2.5 million metric tons in 2023, driven by rising demand for high-oleic oils in foodservice and cosmetics. Europe remains a significant consumer and producer, with sunflower oil production exceeding 5 million metric tons, primarily in Ukraine and Russia. Asia-Pacific has shown rapid growth, with consumption reaching 4 million metric tons amid increasing urbanization and dietary shifts. The Middle East & Africa markets collectively consumed 1.5 million metric tons, with demand fueled by expanding food processing industries and import dependence.

North America

North America produced approximately 1 million metric tons of sunflower oil in 2023, with the United States accounting for 80% of this output. Consumption reached 2.5 million metric tons, driven by the foodservice sector’s preference for high-oleic varieties, which represented 40% of total regional consumption. The region also saw a 15% increase in demand from the cosmetics and personal care industries. Imports supplemented domestic production, totaling around 1.5 million metric tons.

Europe

Europe remains the largest producer and consumer, with sunflower seed cultivation area exceeding 10 million hectares. In 2023, production volumes reached 5.2 million metric tons of sunflower oil, primarily from Ukraine and Russia. The region consumed approximately 6 million metric tons, with significant volumes used in cooking and industrial applications. European consumers prefer linoleic and mid-oleic varieties, which together represent 70% of regional consumption. Export volumes stood at 3 million metric tons, supporting global markets.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific’s sunflower oil market grew to 4 million metric tons in 2023, with India and China leading consumption. Production is limited to 1 million metric tons, making the region heavily import-dependent. The food processing sector accounted for 60% of regional consumption, followed by cooking oil at 30%. Rising urban populations and increasing health awareness have driven a 25% rise in high-oleic sunflower oil demand over the past three years.

Middle East & Africa

Middle East & Africa region consumed about 1.5 million metric tons of sunflower oil in 2023. Production remains minimal, with most supplies imported. Foodservice and industrial uses dominate consumption, accounting for 55% and 25% respectively. The cosmetics industry is growing steadily, contributing to 20% of demand. Investments in infrastructure to support better storage and distribution networks are underway to address supply chain challenges.

List of Top Sunflower Oil Companies

Bunge (USA)
Cargill (USA)
ADM (USA)
Louis Dreyfus Company (France)
Wilmar International (Singapore)
Olam International (Singapore)
Cofco (China)
Yihai Kerry (China)
Ruchi Soya (India)
Godrej Agrovet (India)

Bunge: Bunge processes over 4 million metric tons of sunflower oil annually, controlling approximately 18% of the global market.

Cargill: Cargill follows closely with a production volume near 3.5 million metric tons, holding roughly 15% of the market share.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investment in the sunflower oil market is increasingly focused on expanding production capacity and developing value-added products. Global crush capacity exceeded 35 million metric tons in 2023, with significant investments in modernization to improve extraction efficiency, which currently averages around 40% oil yield from sunflower seeds. New crushing facilities under development aim to add 5 million metric tons of annual capacity over the next three years, primarily in Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe.

Growing consumer demand for high-oleic sunflower oil presents lucrative opportunities. Investments in seed breeding programs have resulted in hybrid varieties yielding up to 5 tons per hectare, compared to the conventional average of 3.2 tons. These high-yield seeds are being adopted rapidly, especially in North America and Europe.

Sustainability is a major area attracting investments, with 30% of sunflower farms in key regions adopting precision farming and eco-friendly pest control measures. These practices enhance yield while reducing water and pesticide use by 15-20%, aligning with environmental regulations and consumer preferences.

The industrial sector’s increasing use of sunflower oil in bio-based lubricants and cosmetics also creates opportunities. Investments exceeding USD 200 million have been recorded in bio-lubricant research and production facilities, aiming to replace petroleum-based oils with sustainable alternatives.

Overall, the market’s robust growth potential and diversification into health, sustainability, and industrial applications make it an attractive investment landscape.

New Product Development

Innovations in sunflower oil have concentrated on enhancing nutritional profiles, improving shelf life, and expanding applications. In 2023, several new high-oleic sunflower oil variants with oleic acid content exceeding 85% were commercialized, offering better oxidative stability and longer frying life, surpassing traditional oils.

Product development also targets specialty segments such as organic sunflower oil, which accounted for approximately 12% of global production in 2023, growing at a rapid pace. Organic sunflower oil production increased by 18% compared to 2021, reflecting rising consumer demand for clean-label products.

Functional sunflower oils enriched with omega-3 and vitamin E have entered the market, representing about 5% of total production volume. These fortified oils cater to health-conscious consumers and the nutraceutical industry, contributing to the diversification of product portfolios.

Technological advances in cold-press extraction methods have improved oil purity and nutrient retention, resulting in cold-pressed sunflower oils making up about 8% of the market. This process reduces heat exposure, preserving antioxidants and flavor.

In cosmetics, sunflower oil-based formulations with enhanced emollient properties have been introduced, comprising approximately 2 million metric tons of consumption in 2023. Innovations include blends with natural extracts for anti-aging and skin repair benefits.

Overall, new product developments are strongly aligned with consumer health trends, sustainability, and multi-sector applications, expanding the sunflower oil market's reach.

Five Recent Developments

In September 2024, India raised the import tax on crude and refined edible oils, including sunflower oil, by 20 percentage points. The new total import duty stands at 27.5% for crude oils and 35.75% for refined oils. This policy aims to support domestic farmers by reducing reliance on imports and stabilizing local markets .
In March 2025, Russian agricultural conglomerate Rusagro commenced exporting sunflower oil from the St. Petersburg terminal on the Baltic Sea. This move is part of Russia's strategy to increase agricultural exports by 50% by 2030, positioning itself as a global agriculture power .
In the first half of 2024, Spain witnessed a significant shift in cooking oil preferences. Sunflower oil sales increased by 25%, surpassing olive oil sales, which declined by 18%. This change is attributed to the rising cost of olive oil, which averaged 6 euros per liter, compared to sunflower oil's 1.86 euros per liter .
In June 2024, India allowed limited imports of corn, crude sunflower oil, refined rapeseed oil, and milk powder under a tariff-rate quota to curb food inflation. The allocations include 150,000 metric tons each of sunflower and refined rapeseed oil, aiming to stabilize prices amid domestic supply-side issues .
In April 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization reported a 0.3% increase in global food prices, driven by rising costs of vegetable oils, including sunflower oil. This uptick reflects higher international prices for sunflower and rapeseed oils, despite a decrease in palm and soy oil prices .

Report Coverage of Sunflower Oil Market

The comprehensive report on the sunflower oil market provides an in-depth analysis of various aspects influencing the industry. It covers production and consumption patterns, technological advancements, and the competitive landscape. The report segments the market based on product types, including refined, cold-pressed, and high-oleic sunflower oils. It also examines distribution channels such as online platforms, supermarkets, hypermarkets, and local stores. End-user applications are categorized into household consumers, the pharmaceutical industry, the food service industry, and the cosmetics industry. Regional analyses encompass North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa, providing insights into market dynamics across different geographies. The report also highlights key players in the market, offering a detailed overview of their strategies and market positions.