Global Sunflower Seeds Market Size, Share, Growth Analysis Report - Forecast 2034

Sunflower Seeds Market Size:

The global sunflower seeds market size was worth around USD 29.57 Billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow to around USD 41.31 Billion by 2034 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 3.4% between 2025 and 2034. The report analyzes the global sunflower seeds market's drivers, restraints/challenges, and the effect they have on the demands during the projection period. In addition, the report explores emerging opportunities in the sunflower seeds industry.

The report analyzes the global sunflower seeds market’s drivers, restraints/challenges, and the effect they have on the demands during the projection period. In addition, the report explores emerging opportunities in the sunflower seeds market.

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Sunflower Seeds Market: Overview

The fruits of the sunflower plant are what we know as sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds are extremely healthful, which is why many people like to eat them. They are employed in the creation of edible oils, which are utilized in a variety of food items. Sunflower seed products come in a variety of flavors, including bacon ranch, dill pickle, salt and pepper, freshly cracked pepper kettle roast, salty-sweet kettle roast, toasted coconut kettle roast, and sweet dill pickle kettle roast.

Key Insights

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global sunflower seeds market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 3.4% over the forecast period (2025-2034).
• Regarding revenue, the global sunflower seeds market size was valued at around USD 29.57 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 41.31 Billion by 2034.
• The sunflower seeds market is projected to grow at a significant rate due to Health benefits and growing use as snacks and in oil production fuel demand. Rising popularity of plant-based protein sources supports expansion.
• Based on Type, the Oilseed segment is expected to lead the global market.
• On the basis of Application, the Edible Oil segment is growing at a high rate and will continue to dominate the global market.
• Based on the Distribution Channel, the Online segment is projected to swipe the largest market share.
• By End-user, the Household segment is expected to dominate the global market.
• Based on region, Asia-Pacific is predicted to dominate the global market during the forecast period.

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Sunflower Seeds Market: Growth Drivers

The high nutritional value of sunflower seed is significantly benefited industry expansion

The high nutritional value of sunflower seed is one of the major drivers that influence the global sunflower seeds market expansion over the forecast period. For instance, 584 kcal of energy can be delivered to the body per 100-gram serving. Its most noteworthy qualities include a 51% daily value of fats, with the majority of those being monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. It also contains a lot of vitamins and minerals. Between 23% and 129% of the daily value of the vitamin B family and 234% of the daily value of vitamin E can be found in them.

Additionally, manganese, magnesium, zinc, iron, and phosphorus, which can make up between 40% and 94% of the daily requirement, are abundant in sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds may provide the body with 20% of the daily required intake of carbs and a similar amount of proteins, as well as 36% of the daily value of fiber. Thus, the high nutritional value of sunflower seeds drives the market growth.

Global Sunflower Seeds Market: Restraints

Side effects & allergies related to sunflower seed is major restraining factors that limit the market growth

Sunflower seeds undoubtedly provide many health benefits, but they also have a few drawbacks. Large quantities of roasted sunflower seeds might have negative health effects. For instance, it might affect how well the kidneys work. High quantities of phosphorus found in sunflower seeds can harm renal function if ingested in excess. Thus, this act as a major restraining factor that limits the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Sunflower Seeds Market: Opportunities

Resurging interest in farming and food production among people during COVID-19 to provide lucrative opportunity for the market growth

A severe economic slowdown and considerable disruptions in food supply networks have been brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The typical flow of associated services and goods has also been impeded by illnesses and quarantine restrictions. To make ends meet during the epidemic, many farmers have increased their focus on crop production in recent months, which has led to an increase in the output of sunflower seeds. For instance, Wisconsin farmer Scott Thompson stated his intention to raise over 2 million sunflowers on 22 acres spread across more than 15 fields in 2020. The penetration of the sunflower seed market should increase in the upcoming years as a result of initiatives like these. As a result, the manufacturer can reclaim some of the market shares for sunflower seeds due to the increased extraction of sunflower seeds for the manufacturing of oils.

Global Sunflower Seeds Market: Challenges

Growing excessive consumption of sunflower seeds is a common cause of unintended weight gain

The excessive usage of sunflower seeds in food products, such as snacks or baked goods, accelerates consumer weight gain. Due to the changing lifestyles of individuals, more than 60% of customers use ready-to-eat or processed food daily. As a result, these processed goods include more oil made from sunflower seeds, which contributes to consumers' undesirable weight gain. In 2020, weight gain affected more than 50% of the population and was a major global health concern. These variables are impeding the expansion of the sunflower seed industry.

Sunflower Seeds Market: Segmentation

The global sunflower seeds market is segmented based on the type, application, and region

Based on the type, the global market is bifurcated into oilseed and non-oilseed. The oilseed segment accounted for the largest market share in 2024 and is expected to continue the same pattern over the forecast period. The seeds of the oilseed variety of sunflower are the ones from which oil is extracted. These seeds can be used to make edible oil that is rich in nutrients. This type of sunflower seed has an oil content greater than 50% of its weight. The remaining components of the meal are carbohydrates and protein. It's an essential component of cooking oils, margarine, and many other products, including soaps and biodiesel fuels. This seed is also rising in popularity when it comes to confections like chocolates.

Based on the application, the global sunflower seeds are categorized into snacks, bakery products, confectionery, and others. The snacks segment held a substantial revenue share in 2024 and is expected to show its dominance during the forecast period. Today's consumers want to eat nutritious snacks, which increases the demand for sunflower seeds. Snacks are produced with sunflower seeds. In India, roasted sunflower kernels have long been a well-liked snack, and the forecast period is expected to see this trend continue. Roasted sunflower seeds are rich in protein, fiber, and minerals like magnesium and potassium. Due to their nutritional profile, roasted sunflower kernels are preferred by consumers seeking healthier snack options over potato chips and other unhealthy options.

By Distribution Channel, the global sunflower seeds market is split into Online, Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, Specialty Stores.

In terms of End-user, the global sunflower seeds market is categorized into Household, Food Industry, Cosmetics Industry, Feed Industry.

Recent Developments:

• In May 2020, Barenbrug Australia Pty Ltd and Nuseed Pty Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of Nufarm Limited, announced that they have formalized a license agreement for Barenbrug Australia to use Nuseed Australia's sorghum and sunflower germplasm portfolio and perform R&D, plant breeding, and commercialization services. This declaration shows that Nuseed Australia prioritizes and concentrates on maintaining its market-leading position in the Australian canola and monola markets and its ongoing commitments to Australian research and development as the global commercialization partner for CSIRO and GRDC for Nuseed Omega-3 canola. The partnership closely relates to Barenbrug's strategic goal of dominating the Australian summer crop, which includes sustained investment in R&D and a long-term emphasis.
• In May 2022, with the completion of an extra USD 15 million investment at the Romanian production facility Afumati, Corteva Agriscience is driving the growth of its sunflower seed business in Europe. Through this investment, the company will be able to supply farmers with high-quality sunflower seeds that have an increasing demand both domestically and internationally. Corteva Agriscience will be able to shorten the supply chain, strengthen its reliability and agility, and increase European processing capacity to support growth in the region due to the new capital investment project, which consists of a bulk storage and conditioning facility.

Sunflower Seeds Market: Report Scope

Sunflower Seeds Market: Regional Analysis

Europe is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period

Europe is expected to dominate the global sunflower seed market during the forecast period owing to the increasing production of the sunflower which is utilized for food, feed, fuel, and industrial purpose in the region. In 2020, 19.3 million hectares of sunflowers will be farmed in Europe for use as food, feed, fuel, and industrial purposes, according to the FAO. About 80% of the region's sunflower seed production is used for household consumption, with the remaining 20% going toward creating bird feed and confections and 90% going into crushing. In 2020–2021, 537 thousand metric tons of sunflower seeds were produced in Europe, while 2916 thousand metric tons were used domestically, according to the USDA. Plantings of sunflowers have increased recently in nations including Italy, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Croatia, and the Czech Republic. Because of lower crush and availability, demand for sunflower meals is projected to be lower than usual. However, demand is constant because of anticipated higher competition vs rapeseed meals. As a result of increased demand for sunflower oil and other sunflower-based processed goods, the market is expected to rise at a healthy rate over the forecast period.

Besides, North America is expected to hold a significant market share over the forecast period because sunflower seeds are used in a variety of culinary dishes due to their high nutritional value. The United States and Canada are the two countries that generate the most sunflower seeds in North America. Sunflower seeds are very popular in these countries due to their wide range of applications in the food and beverage industries. One can find sunflower seeds as an ingredient in a variety of products, including bread, crackers, snacks, and salad dressings. The increasing level of consumer health consciousness is another factor driving the growth of the sunflower seed market in North America.

Sunflower Seeds Market: Competitive Analysis

The report provides a company market share analysis to give a broader overview of the key market players. In addition, the report also covers key strategic developments of the market, including acquisitions & mergers, new product launches, agreements, partnerships, collaborations & joint ventures, research & development, and regional expansion of major participants involved in the sunflower seeds market on a global and regional basis.

The global sunflower seeds market is dominated by players like:

• Kenkko Corporation
• DuPont
• GIANT Snacks Inc.
• CHS Inc.
• American Meadows
• Mahyco Seeds Company Ltd.
• Conagra Foods Inc.
• Limagrain UK Ltd.
• Nuseed
• Martin US Enterprises LLC.
• Sakata Seed America
• and Ike Enterprises Inc. among others.

The global sunflower seeds market is segmented as follows;

By Type

• Oilseed
• Non-oilseed

By Application

• Edible Oil
• Snacks
• Bakery Products
• Bird Feed
• Cosmetics
• Others

By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Specialty Stores

By End-user

• Household
• Food Industry
• Cosmetics Industry
• Feed Industry

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • France
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• The Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Egypt
  • Kuwait
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America