Sunflower Seeds Market

Global Sunflower Seeds Market Size (2024 to 2032)

The global sunflower seeds market size was valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 1.25 billion in 2024, from USD and it is anticipated to reach USD 1.57 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2032.

CURRENT SCENARIO OF THE GLOBAL SUNFLOWER SEEDS MARKET

The market for sunflower seeds has seen a direct growth that has not been seen in recent years. The sunflower seeds used for planting form a small portion of the sunflower goods industry and account for only 2% of the market share. The fruits of the sunflower plant are called sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds are considered the most popular and healthy seeds produced on a large scale in European countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and the European Union. The sunflower seed coat is surrounded by a small grain containing 20% ​​protein and 30% lipids. Sunflower seeds are used to produce edible oils that are used in various food products. Sunflower seed products are available in multiple flavors such as dill pickle flavor, bacon ranch, salt and pepper, salty-sweet-roasted flavors, freshly roasted toast, and roasted dill pickle kettle to taste, taste. Sunflower seeds are packaged and sold as sour cream, barbecue, or ranch. Sunflower seeds are available in a variety of sizes around the world. Sunflower seeds contain a high amount of nutrients and are rich in omega-6 fatty acids. Sunflower by-product hull seeds contain high fiber and are used as a supplement to feed cattle. Sunflower seeds in the snack industry have developed rapidly as a snack option in recent years.

However, hybrid seeds get stuck as they can be stored for up to ten months as long as the seeds are not infected with insect repellent. Therefore a storage method with controlled environmental conditions should be available to maintain seed quality for a long time.                                 

Market Drivers

The sunflower seeds market should show significant growth over a set period. A critical factor in the sunflower seeds market is the growing popularity of ready-to-eat and baked foods. The number of supermarkets and retail outlets that supply sunflower seeds of various flavors has increased worldwide. The sunflower seeds comprise of excellent fiber source and is used in different animal feed products.

Therefore, it is possible that the sunflower seeds market will grow in the coming years. The sunflower seeds market was linked to a lower rate of cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. In addition, sunflower seeds consist of massive amounts of vitamins and minerals, which help support the immune system and raise the ability to curb viruses. 

As the number of supermarkets and sales points increase, demand for different sunflower seeds is growing worldwide. As a result, companies are focused on providing nutritious products. 

Market Restraints

Sunflower seeds are high in saturated fats, leading to unwanted weight gain, which is expected to slow the growth of the world's sunflower seeds market throughout the season. Since sunflower seeds are an oil-intensive plant, seed retention and energy efficiency during storage present significant problems, hampering the market growth. 

The side effects and the allergies produced by the sunflower seeds are primary factors restraining the global sunflower seeds market growth. High consumption of sunflower seeds might have a negative impact on health as it highly affects kidney function. High quantities of phosphorous in the sunflower are estimated to affect renal function if taken in excess amounts. This is expected to limit the demand for sunflower seeds and market growth. Another major factor is the dependency on weather conditions and climate variability, as sunflower cultivation is compassionate and is expected to restrain market growth. The adverse weather conditions, such as extreme temperatures, floods, and limited sunlight, will negatively impact sunflower yields, creating fluctuations in the supply chain and affecting the global market revenue. The availability of other alternative seeds with health benefits is expected to restrain the market growth. Other seeds, such as pumpkin, sesame, chia, and a wide range of other snack foods, will create high competition for sunflower seeds as consumer preferences change, limiting market expansion.

Market Challenges

The presence of stringent regulations for approval of sunflower seeds consumption and as ingredients in other food products by the regulatory authorities is a challenge to the manufacturers due to the time-consuming and complex procedures. These complex procedures are raising the overall cost of the seeds, which may restrict access to low-budget individuals, hindering market growth. Price volatility in the agricultural commodities industry acts as a restraining factor, as fluctuations in output costs affect production costs and influence prices. This will hugely affect the cultivators and the traders to predict profitability, which is a primary challenge.

REPORT COVERAGE

SEGMENT ANALYSIS

Global Sunflower Seeds Market Analysis By Type

Based on type, the oilseeds segment is anticipated to have the most significant global sunflower seeds market share. The oilseed seeds are grown mainly for the production of edible oils. India is one of the largest growers in the oil industry and an importer of edible oil. Oilseed plants are planted to extract oil, which is contained in their seeds. The oil contains oil-separated plants ranging from 20% soybean to 40% sunflower. 

Global Sunflower Seeds Market Analysis By Application

The application edible oil segment is expected to dominate the global sunflower seeds market and is the fifth largest producer of edible vegetable oils globally. Worldwide oil and food production has increased over the past few years with estimated seed production. High oleic oil is thought to provide specific health benefits. However, sunflower oil has been shown to emit toxic compounds when heated to high temperatures over time. The smoke contains toxic substances called aldehydes that can increase the risk of cancer. Deep frying produces more aldehydes, but sunflower oil has more aldehydes than other oils besides cooking.

Global Sunflower Seeds Market Analysis By Distribution Channel

Depending on the distribution channel, the supermarket segment tends to have a significant market share. The supermarket is a self-service store that offers a variety of food, beverages, and household products, organized into categories. This type of store is more significant and has a broader selection than the previous grocery stores but is smaller and limited in sale distance than a hypermarket or large box market. 

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

The European region dominated the global sunflower seeds market revenue with the most significant market share in 2023 and is anticipated to dominate during the forecast period. The increasing volume of seeds imported to the region, which shows stable annual growth, fuels the regional market growth. The increasing demand for sunflower seeds in European nations like France, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Spain, and Germany contributes to the European sunflower seeds market growth. Bulgaria stands at the top due to high imports, over 18% of the total imports in 2021, making the region dominant globally. According to the USFDA, the ideal weather conditions of the European region are the reason the production of sunflowers is estimated to increase in the coming years.

The Asia Pacific region held the second-largest share in the sunflower seeds market revenue due to increased sunflower cultivation across the region. Sunflower cultivation in the region will be around 2.5 million hectares in 2022, and the rising demand for edible oil is escalating the demand. China is the largest producer in the region, accounting for 37.3% of the area. China ranks fourth in global production, boosting the regional market growth rate.

The Latin American region is estimated to have considerable growth during the forecast period as it is considered one of the top producers of sunflowers worldwide. In 2022, the region held a market share of around 30% in the global market value. The presence of high export value and demand for processing oil and oil mixes in the Latin American region fuels the regional market growth. The presence of market players and their hybrid seeds launch focused on high oil content propel the market growth.

Competitive Landscape

The sunflower seeds market is a segregated market where various players, small and large, are in the market. Advanta Seeds, Sakata, Syngenta, Corteva Agriscience, Groupe Limagrain are some of the players working in the market. Companies are adopting strategies, such as building joint ventures and contracts to address the current demand for sunflower seeds. 

KEY MARKET PLAYERS IN THE GLOBAL SUNFLOWER SEED

Companies are anticipated to devise strategies to gain a competitive advantage in the worldwide sunflower seeds market by 2026. Some of the key players identified throughout the sunflower seeds market value chain include: Advanta Seeds, Groupe Limagrain, Syngenta AG, Nuziveedu Seeds, Pannar Seeds, KENKKO CORPORATION, CONAGRA FOODS INC, Dupont, GIANT Snacks Inc, Sakata seeds America, American Meadows, Mahyco seeds company Ltd., Nuseedsetc. 

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE GLOBAL SUNFLOWER SEEDS MARKET

• In May 2024, Yudum and Seed Association introduced a new variety of local sunflower seeds that surpass the existing seeds in productivity and resistance to disease. These new seeds are registered and accessible to Turkish farmers.
• In 2024, European seed companies Euralis Semences and Caussade Semences Group merged to create a robust unit capable of driving innovation in sunflower seeds, especially in the development of hybrid seeds with increased resistance to pests and diseases.
• In December 2023, Russia’s National Seed Selection and Growing Consortium announced its plans to develop 15 sunflower hybrids by 2030. The consortium also stated that its first hybrid will be released in 2027, and these hybrid seeds will be highly biologically efficient.
• In 2023, Corteva Agriscience announced its strategic partnership with Evogene, a leading biotechnology firm. This collaboration primarily aims to leverage Evogene’s cutting-edge gene editing technologies to develop innovative sunflower traits that improve crop resilience and productivity.
• In 2022, Syngenta acquired Sensako, a South African seed company, to enhance its sunflower seed portfolio and expand its footprint in Africa.  

DETAILED SEGMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL SUNFLOWER SEED MARKET INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT

This research report on the global sunflower seed market is segmented and sub-segmented based on Type, Application, Distribution channel, and Region.

By Type

• Oilseed
• Non-Oilseed 

By Application

• Edible oil
• Bakery Products
• Confectionary 

By Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets
• Online Stores
• Retail Stores 

By Region

• North America 
• Europe 
• Asia Pacific 
• Latin America 
• Middle East and Africa