Sunflower: Seeds Production Volume, by country
CountryProduction,
in million metric tons
RussiaRussia17.1
UkraineUkraine14.5
European UnionEuropean Union10.2
ArgentinaArgentina4.1
TurkeyTurkey1.5
  • Region: Worldwide
  • Time period: 2023/2024
  • Published: Feb 2024

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Mar 30, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Russia and Ukraine dominate sunflower seed production

Russia leads in sunflower seed production with 17.1 million metric tons, closely followed by Ukraine at 14.5 million metric tons. Together, these two countries account for a significant portion of the world's supply, highlighting their pivotal role in the global sunflower oil market. The combined output of Russia and Ukraine surpasses that of the European Union, Argentina, and Turkey combined, underscoring their dominance in this sector.

European Union stands as a major producer

The European Union emerges as a substantial producer with a total production of 10.2 million metric tons. This figure places the EU significantly ahead of Argentina and Turkey, indicating the region's importance in contributing to the global sunflower seed supply. The EU's production is nearly 2.5 times that of Argentina, the next closest producer, highlighting the disparity in production scales among leading producers.

Argentina's production outpaces Turkey

Argentina's sunflower seed production stands at 4.1 million metric tons, which is substantially higher than Turkey's production of 1.5 million metric tons. This difference underscores Argentina's stronger position in the global market compared to Turkey. Argentina's output being almost three times greater than Turkey's also reflects on the geographic and agronomic differences that influence sunflower seed production capabilities.

Production concentration among top countries

The data reveals a high concentration of sunflower seed production among the top countries, with Russia, Ukraine, and the European Union together accounting for 41.8 million metric tons. This concentration suggests a dependency on these regions for global supply, potentially impacting international trade and market stability. The significant gap in production between these leaders and other producers like Argentina and Turkey further emphasizes the market's reliance on a few key players.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which countries lead in sunflower seed production?

Russia and Ukraine dominate in sunflower seed production with 17.1 million metric tons and 14.5 million metric tons respectively.

How does the European Union feature in sunflower seed production?

The European Union is a major producer with a total production of 10.2 million metric tons, approximately 2.5 times the production of Argentina.

What does the concentration of sunflower seed production among top countries suggest?

The concentration of production totaling 41.8 million metric tons in Russia, Ukraine, and the European Union suggests a global dependency on these regions.

Terms and Definitions

The sunflower is a large annual forb of the genus Helianthus grown as a crop for its edible oil and fruits. This plant is also used for ornamental purposes due to its large size and bright, sunny appearance.

Seed production is the process of creating, growing, and harvesting seeds. This can refer to any type of plant or flower, but in the scope of this article, it particularly refers to sunflower seeds.

Cultivation is the act of preparing and using land for the growth of crops. For sunflowers, this involves a particular set of agronomic practices including choice of variety, preparation of soil, time of sowing, etc.

Harvest is the process of gathering mature crops from the fields. In the context of sunflowers, harvesting usually takes place when the back of the sunflower head turns yellow and the seeds are sufficiently developed.

Yield refers to the amount of crop that is harvested per unit of land area. It is often measured in terms of quantity per acre or hectare.

Edible oil refers to plant-based oils that are safe for human consumption. Sunflower seeds are a major source of edible oil, prized for its light taste and frying performance.

Crop rotation is a systematic approach to deciding which crop to plant where in your garden from one year to the next. This practice is usually used to improve soil structure, increase biodiversity, and reduce the concentration of pests and diseases. The sunflower is a common crop in many rotation systems due to its deep roots and nutrient-uptake abilities.
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Agronomy is a branch of agricultural science that primarily focuses on crop production and soil management, working to balance the economic and social requirements of humans with the need for environmental protection. Read more »