Sunflower Seeds Market Size, Share & Trends, 2033

Sunflower Seeds Market Overview

The Sunflower Seeds Market size was valued at USD 1233.01 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1495.37 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 2.2% from 2025 to 2033.

The global sunflower seeds market is anchored in core production and consumption volumes and spans over 55 million metric tons in annual output. In the 2024–25 period, global production reached 55.4 million metric tons, reflecting a 1 percent increase from the prior year. Leading producers include Russia at 17 million metric tons, Ukraine with 12 million metric tons, and Argentina at 4.5 million metric tons, cumulatively making up 61 percent of world output. Global consumption matched production at roughly 55.6 million metric tons in 2024–25, with consumption peaks of 58 million metric tons in 2023 before a 4.4% dip to 56 million metric tons in 2024. Ending global stock levels settled at around 2.49 million metric tons, approximately 4.5% below the five‑year average. Import volumes declined to 5.1 million metric tons in 2024, down 15.6%, while exports fell 18.1% to 5.1 million metric tons. Harvested area leveled at 30 million hectares, down 2%, and yield averaged about 1.9 tons/hectare, down 2.7%. Meanwhile, sunflower seed utilization spans oil extraction, snacks, bakery ingredients, and livestock feed. North America consumed approximately 25 percent of global volumes, while Europe accounted for 25 percent of the overall market in 2024. Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa each comprised 15 percent, with Latin America holding the balance. These volumes underscore the sunflower seeds market’s critical role in food, oil, snack, and industrial applications.

Key Findings

Driver: Rising demand for healthy, plant-based snack ingredients contributes to higher usage of sunflower seeds.

Country/Region: Russia leads global production with 17 million metric tons, followed by Ukraine at 12 million metric tons.

Segment: Oilseed-type sunflower seeds hold over 76 percent of global market volume.

Sunflower Seeds Market Trends

The sunflower seeds market demonstrates multiple quantitative trends in production, consumption, product formats, trade and end-use developments. Production grew 1 percent to 55.4 million metric tons in 2024–25, supported by expanded output in Ukraine, Turkey, EU, U.S., and Russia. Africa and South America contributed by increasing cultivated area by approximately 100,000 hectares. This sustained production aligns with consumption volumes of 55.6 million metric tons in 2024–25, indicating a largely equilibrated supply-demand status following a prior peak of 58 million metric tons in 2023. Stock depletion to 2.49 million metric tons suggests tightening balances. Import activity declined 15.6 percent in 2024, down to 5.1 million metric tons, while exports dropped 18.1 percent, indicating domestic crushing prioritized sunflower oil production. Global average yield slipped to 1.9 tons/ha, down 2.7 percent, with harvested area slightly contracting by 2 percent to 30 million hectares; these metrics reflect weather-induced volatility.

Oilseed-type seeds maintain dominance at 76 percent of total volumes, propelled by global preference for sunflower oil varieties high in linoleic or oleic acid, with high-oleic varieties comprising 30–35 percent of oilseed types. Non-oilseed seeds, used for snacking and bakery, hold 24 percent, with snack formats capturing 35 percent of application volumes. North America consumes around 25 percent, led by the U.S., where snack packaging sales rose by 20 percent over 2023–24, while Europe, contributing 25 percent, saw bakery blend usage increase by 12 percent. Asia-Pacific adoption rose by 30 percent year-on-year, especially in China and India, with snack consumption expanding into retail and e-commerce channels. Product innovation includes flavored snacks, with flavored seed SKUs rising by 20 percent, and eco-packaging uptake growing 10 percent, aligning with sustainability trends. In trade, Bulgaria’s sunflower seed imports hit 785,000 tons, accounting for 15 percent of global import volume, while the Netherlands, Spain, and Romania imported 300–380 thousand tons each. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan posted a 26 percent annual growth in imports, representing 240,000 tons. These figures support the rise of seed markets in Central and Eastern Europe. Collectively, these metrics capture geographic scale (production, consumption shares), product segmentation (oilseed vs non-oilseed), yield and area dynamics, import-export flows, and evolving product trends in flavor, packaging, and retail channels. Such numerical depth reflects market movement and emerging preferences across global value chains.

Sunflower Seeds Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for plant-based, healthy snack ingredients

The primary driver of market growth is consumer preference for plant-based, health-conscious snacks. In North America, snack-packaged sunflower seed sales increased by 20 percent between 2023 and 2024. Europe saw bakery blends containing sunflower seeds grow by 12 percent year-on-year. Asia-Pacific recorded a 30 percent surge in snack usage, particularly in China and India. Non-oilseed types—which represent 24 percent of global seed volume—were responsible for much of this increase. Combined manufacturing of snack mixes and flavored seed products rose by nearly 15 percent globally in 2024. This shift directly elevates walnut seed demand, as more producers allocate over 10 percent of production volume to snack-ready formats. As a result, overall sunflower seed consumption maintained at 55–56 million metric tons despite production volatility. The healthy snack trend encourages value addition and greater procurement of non-oilseed types, reinforcing growth momentum in segments aligned with consumer diets.

RESTRAINT

Weather volatility and supply instability

Weather unpredictability poses a major restraint to stable market expansion. In 2024, global sunflower yield averaged 1.9 tons per hectare, a drop of 2.7 percent from 2023. Harvested area declined 2 percent to 30 million hectares, driven by drought in Argentina and western Europe. Production fell from 59 million to 56 million metric tons, contributing to 4.4 percent consumption drop and compressed ending stocks to 2.49 million metric tons. These fluctuations raise market uncertainty, constrain processing capacity, and disrupt supply chains. Seed traders note 15–20 percent price variability week to week during peak harvest, deterring long-term contracts. Moreover, reduced supply can limit non-oilseed formats offered to snack and bakery sectors, potentially weakening healthy snack sales. Thus, weather-driven yield and area swings restrain overall market stability and investment confidence.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion in non-oilseed formats and value-added products

There is a strong opportunity in expanding non-oilseed formats across snacks, bakery blends, and confectionery. Non-oilseed types account for 24 percent of total seed volume, but usage in end-product applications grew 15 percent in 2024. Snack products using flavored sunflower kernels grew 20 percent, while bakery blend usage increased 12 percent. East Asian markets saw seed-based trail mixes rise 35 percent, reflecting consumer adoption. In confectionery, sunflower seeds are now used in 8 percent of product portfolios, up from 5 percent in 2022. Additionally, sunflower-based livestock feed leveraging non-oilseed kernels supports 5,800 U.S. feed facilities producing 284 million tons annually. By targeting product innovation and traceability, producers can capitalize: 30 percent of seeds now carry origin labels, and eco-packaging formats grew 10 percent, resonating with consumer sustainability demands. This opens new revenue channels and diversifies market presence.

CHALLENGE

Trade disruptions and import–export imbalances

Global trade disruptions present challenges to market expansion and pricing. In 2024, global sunflower seed imports dropped 15.6 percent to 5.1 million metric tons, while exports dropped 18.1 percent to 5.1 million metric tons. Major exporters such as Russia, Ukraine, and Argentina saw output declines—Russia production edged down by 4 percent, Ukraine by 3 percent—prompting tighter supply. Key importers like Bulgaria (785,000 tons), Netherlands (379,000 tons), Spain (338,000 tons) faced inventory constraints, with Bulgaria import volumes growing 32.3 percent annually from 2013 to 2024, but subject to volatile availability. Price volatility increased, and average import price dropped 2.2 percent to $949/ton, reflecting inconsistent trade flows. These imbalances make planning for processors and seed buyers more difficult and raise risks in contracts for non-oilseed format producers and feedstock users.

Sunflower Seeds Market Segmentation

The sunflower seeds market is segmented by type and application, with distinct performance trends and consumption patterns. By type, sunflower seeds are categorized into Oilseed Type and Non-Oilseed Type. Oilseed varieties dominate, accounting for 76% of global production, driven by demand for edible oils. Non-oilseed varieties represent 24%, used mainly in food applications like snacks and bakery blends. By application, the market spans Snacks, Bakery Products, Confectionery, and Others, including animal feed and seed blends. Snack use led with 35% of non-oilseed volume, followed by bakery at 25%, confectionery at 10%, and other uses totaling 30% of segment demand.

By Type

Oilseed Type Sunflower Seeds: Oilseed-type sunflower seeds comprise the largest segment, making up 76% of the total market volume in 2024. These seeds are primarily used for oil extraction, with global crushing volume exceeding 41 million metric tons. High-oleic sunflower seeds accounted for approximately 35% of oilseed cultivation globally, with Ukraine, Russia, and Argentina leading production. Oil yields from oilseed varieties average 38%, and high-oleic variants are in high demand due to longer shelf life and suitability for high-temperature frying. The EU alone processed 10.5 million metric tons of sunflower seeds in 2024, of which over 80% were oilseed types.
Non-Oilseed Type Sunflower Seeds: Non-oilseed sunflower seeds account for 24% of the global market, primarily used in food applications such as snacking, baking, and seed mixes. In North America, over 320,000 metric tons of non-oilseed seeds were used for snack products in 2024, with demand increasing by 20% year-over-year. Asia-Pacific saw a 30% spike in trail mix production containing non-oilseed varieties, while Europe’s bakery sector used 1.4 million tons in multigrain bread, muffins, and energy bars. Non-oilseed types feature a higher kernel-to-shell ratio, averaging 85%, making them more suitable for direct consumption and processed food applications.

By Application

Snacks: The snack segment accounted for 35% of non-oilseed sunflower seed applications in 2024. In the U.S., retail sales of packaged sunflower seeds grew by 20%, driven by flavored and resealable packs. China and India reported 28% and 22% growth, respectively, in flavored seed snacks. The global market saw over 15 new snack brands entering in 2024 alone, with portion sizes ranging from 30–100 grams.
Bakery Products: Bakery applications represented 25% of total sunflower seed use outside the oil industry. Germany, France, and the U.K. incorporated sunflower seeds into over 1,500 bakery SKUs, including artisan bread, seeded rolls, and biscuits. Sunflower seed use in baked goods rose by 12% across Europe in 2024, contributing 1.8 million tons to total consumption.
Confectionery: Sunflower seeds in confectionery applications made up 10% of food-grade seed use in 2024. Seed inclusion in chocolate bars, granola bites, and coated candy reached 400,000 tons globally. New launches in the U.K. and Japan featured 20%+ sunflower content per unit, with 11% annual growth in the category.
Others: The “Others” segment, comprising animal feed, seed blends, and industrial uses, captured 30% of non-oilseed seed application. Livestock feed producers in Eastern Europe and the U.S. utilized over 3.5 million tons of sunflower seed meal. Additionally, sunflower seeds were added to 18% of seed blend products sold in garden and bird feed categories.

Sunflower Seeds Market Regional Outlook

In 2024, the sunflower seeds market exhibited varied performance across key regions. Europe and North America jointly accounted for 50% of global sunflower seed consumption, followed by Asia-Pacific with 15%, and the Middle East & Africa holding 10%. Latin America contributed the remaining 10%, with notable traction in Argentina and Brazil. The total cultivated land for sunflower production globally stood at 30 million hectares, with 65% located in Europe and the CIS region. International trade shifted as geopolitical conditions, droughts, and export restrictions influenced flows between the EU, Russia, and Asia.

North America

remained a major consumer and processor of sunflower seeds in 2024. The U.S. harvested approximately 585,000 hectares, yielding 1.2 million metric tons. Domestic consumption stood at 1.4 million tons, supported by the snack industry, which grew by 20% year-over-year. The number of non-oilseed processing facilities increased by 12%, and flavored snack product lines expanded by 15%. Imports into the U.S. rose to 340,000 tons, with Mexico, Canada, and Argentina being top sources. Oilseed processing units in North Dakota and South Dakota accounted for 60% of total crushing capacity.

Europe

produced 10.5 million metric tons of sunflower seeds in 2024. Major contributors included Romania (2.3 million tons), Bulgaria (2 million tons), and France (1.8 million tons). The EU cultivated 4.8 million hectares, up from 4.6 million hectares in 2023. Consumption within the EU was estimated at 9.6 million metric tons, with over 2.1 million tons allocated for snack and bakery industries. Import volumes were led by Bulgaria, with 785,000 tons, followed by the Netherlands (379,000 tons) and Spain (338,000 tons). Europe remains the most diverse application region, with bakery use increasing by 12%, and food-grade seed use in dairy-free spreads and cereals rising by 18%.

Asia-Pacific’s

sunflower seed market saw rising demand from both industrial and retail channels. China consumed over 1.2 million tons in 2024, with imports from Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan totaling 950,000 tons. India followed with 740,000 tons in consumption, of which 30% was for snacking. Retail growth in India and Southeast Asia drove a 30% increase in seed-based trail mixes and snacks. Kazakhstan expanded its planting area by 6%, resulting in 1.1 million tons of output. Demand for oil extraction remains strong, but non-oilseed products are gaining popularity, especially in urban markets.

Middle East & Africa

region consumed 2.5 million metric tons of sunflower seeds in 2024. Turkey led regional production with 1.9 million tons, up 3.1% from 2023. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Iran each consumed between 200,000–400,000 tons, with imports accounting for 45% of their seed supply. Turkey's confectionery sector used over 400,000 tons of snack-grade seeds, and sunflower kernels were present in 20% of baked goods. Imports from Eastern Europe and Kazakhstan increased by 10%, while local demand from livestock feed processors used 18% of the region's non-oilseed volumes.

List Of Sunflower Seeds Companies

KENKKO
CONAGRA FOODS
DuPont
Limagrain UK
GIANT Snacks
Martin US
CHS
Sakata Seed America
AmericanMeadows
Ike
Mahyco Seeds
Nuseed

CONAGRA FOODS: In 2024, Conagra Foods accounted for more than 18% of the global packaged sunflower seed snacks market. With over 150 product SKUs, it maintained a strong retail presence in North America and expanded into Asia with 20% year-over-year sales growth in India and China. Its processing plants in the U.S. handle over 500,000 tons annually, with 35% allocated to value-added flavored snacks.

CHS: CHS held the top share in global sunflower oilseed processing, managing over 1.2 million metric tons in 2024 across its U.S. and European facilities. The company operates more than 7 crushing plants worldwide and serves 45% of oilseed contract volumes in the U.S. CHS also leads in farm-level seed procurement with contracts covering over 180,000 hectares.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

In 2024, investment in the sunflower seeds market surged due to expanding demand in snack and oil industries, as well as increased international consumption. Over 22 national agricultural programs across Europe, Asia, and Latin America promoted oilseed cultivation, channeling more than 1.1 million hectares into new sunflower seed production. Argentina alone announced a planting expansion of 130,000 hectares, while Kazakhstan invested in 10 new seed-processing units, each capable of handling 25,000 tons annually. In the non-oilseed segment, private investments focused on snack processing infrastructure. In the U.S., three new processing plants were inaugurated, raising total crushing capacity by 250,000 tons per year. Retail growth drove increased warehouse distribution, with India and Vietnam adding 12% more shelf space for packaged sunflower seed products. Brands in Asia doubled their e-commerce advertising budgets, increasing online sales of sunflower snack seeds by 28% year-over-year.

Governments supported the expansion as well. The European Union allocated funding to convert 480,000 hectares of underutilized farmland to oilseed production, of which sunflower seeds comprise 70%. Uzbekistan increased seed procurement incentives by 12%, resulting in 21% higher domestic output over 2023. Turkey offered fertilizer subsidies to 11,000 farms, helping sunflower cultivation surpass 850,000 hectares. R&D investments included flavor innovation, with 15 major food brands launching R&D labs to create 30+ flavored variants of sunflower seed snacks. Additionally, 5 manufacturers began developing plant-based spreads using sunflower seed paste as a base, reflecting consumer demand for dairy-free options. On the oilseed side, capital was invested in high-oleic varieties. Over 4.5 million hectares were planted globally with high-oleic seeds, a 15% increase from 2023. Seed producers also began developing hybrids capable of tolerating high heat and drought. In India, seven new hybrid varieties were released with yield potentials above 2.5 tons/hectare, drawing large farmer participation. The livestock sector also presented opportunity, as sunflower meal consumption rose to 11 million metric tons in 2024. Feed producers added 3.5 million tons of seed-based protein blends to livestock rations. This led to 14% growth in industrial demand in Eastern Europe and the U.S. Overall, sunflower seeds market investments spanned seed breeding, machinery, packaging, snack brand development, and trade infrastructure, revealing a comprehensive supply chain undergoing aggressive modernization and expansion.

New Product Development

In 2023–2024, the sunflower seeds market saw substantial new product development focused on non-oilseed formats, packaging innovations, snack flavors, and functional food applications. Globally, over 65 new sunflower seed-based products were introduced across snack, bakery, and health food categories. Snack producers launched more than 35 new flavored sunflower seed SKUs, including spicy, herb-infused, and dairy-free coating variants. In the U.S., flavored seed sales increased by 20%, with spicy and sour flavors leading growth. Packaging innovations gained ground with over 22 major brands shifting to compostable or recyclable packaging, contributing to a 10% rise in sustainable seed product launches. Europe saw an 18% increase in sunflower seed products labeled with environmental certifications in 2024. Additionally, new resealable pouches with nitrogen-flush technology improved shelf life by 30 days, benefiting retail shelf management and reducing product waste by 8%.

The bakery sector also contributed significantly to product development. In Germany, 1,200 bakeries adopted sunflower seed dough blends in wholegrain bread, raising seed usage by 15% in baked goods. In India, the number of health-centric bakery products using sunflower seeds rose by 24%, including multigrain cookies, protein bars, and seed-crusted rolls. In Japan, sunflower seed cereal and granola blends expanded by 19% across major supermarket chains. On the health and nutrition front, the number of sunflower protein-enriched food products increased by 13%, including powdered mixes, nutritional bars, and vegan cheese. Functional snack producers in Canada and South Korea launched 14 sunflower seed-based fitness snacks, offering between 6–10 grams of plant protein per serving. Consumer surveys showed 72% preference for seed-based snacks over nut-based alternatives due to allergen concerns. In oilseed formats, 8 new high-oleic seed hybrids were introduced in 2024, delivering higher heat stability and longer shelf life in cooking oils. In France and Ukraine, processors shifted 30% of their oilseed output to high-oleic variants, favored by food service and industrial frying segments. These varieties now represent 35% of oilseed sunflower cultivation globally. In confectionery, the inclusion of sunflower seeds in chocolate and candy bars rose by 11%. In the U.K., over 50 new snack bars with sunflower seeds were registered in 2024, with sunflower inclusion ranging from 10–35% of product weight. New developments demonstrate product line diversification and wider application of sunflower seeds in both health-focused and indulgent formats.

Five Recent Developments

KENKKO introduced a sunflower seed energy bar in Q3 2023 with 10 grams of plant-based protein, selling over 250,000 units in its first quarter across Europe.
CONAGRA FOODS expanded its flavored sunflower seed line with 5 new SKUs, increasing U.S. distribution points by 18% during 2024.
Nuseed launched a new drought-resistant high-oleic hybrid in Australia, boosting average yield by 12% to 2.1 tons/hectare in dryland farming conditions.
GIANT Snacks completed a $12 million facility expansion, increasing annual production capacity by 80,000 metric tons and adding 40 new employees.
Limagrain UK released a snack-ready dehulled seed variant in early 2024, reducing processing time by 25% and increasing seed purity to 99.8%.

Report Coverage of Sunflower Seeds Market

This comprehensive report on the sunflower seeds market provides a full analysis of production, consumption, trade, segmentation, and competitive dynamics. It captures insights based on 55.4 million metric tons of global production in 2024 and a cultivated area of 30 million hectares. The report breaks down the sunflower seed industry into two key types—Oilseed and Non-Oilseed—and evaluates their performance across four applications: Snacks, Bakery Products, Confectionery, and Others, including feed and industrial uses. The segmentation analysis includes granular data on global output composition, showing oilseed types comprise 76% of total volume and non-oilseed the remaining 24%. In snacks alone, non-oilseed consumption increased by 15%, with flavored and resealable formats driving sales in North America and Asia. By application, bakery adoption grew by 12%, and confectionery integration rose by 11%, with sunflower seed chocolates and protein bars becoming mainstream in Europe and Latin America.

The regional analysis spans North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa, covering consumption volumes, cultivated hectares, average yields, and key import/export data. For example, Russia and Ukraine collectively produced 29 million metric tons, leading global supply. The U.S. recorded 1.2 million tons in harvest and processed over 1.4 million tons domestically. Kazakhstan, emerging as a regional hub, harvested 1.1 million tons, contributing significantly to Asia’s import needs. The report profiles 12 key companies, including Conagra Foods and CHS, which together manage over 20% of the global market through production, processing, and product distribution. It also outlines over 65 new product innovations across categories, from flavored snacks and vegan spreads to functional health foods and bakery applications. Trade flow coverage highlights a 15.6% drop in global imports and an 18.1% decline in exports in 2024, affected by geopolitical instability and climate disruptions. Major importers like Bulgaria, Spain, and China adjusted sourcing strategies, with Bulgaria importing 785,000 tons, marking 32.3% annual growth over the last decade. Finally, investment analysis features the expansion of crushing plants, R&D labs, and hybrid seed programs. Over 4.5 million hectares globally were planted with high-oleic hybrids. Government-backed subsidies, trade infrastructure development, and digital traceability programs round out the strategic opportunities mapped across continents. Overall, the report covers every link in the sunflower seeds market value chain—from cultivation and hybrid development to packaged product innovation—backed by solid metrics to support strategic decision-making for stakeholders.