Sunflower Oil Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Linoleic Oil, Mid-oleic Oil, High-oleic Oil), By Application (Food, Biofuels, Personal Care), By Distribution Channel (Online and Offline), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 24.06 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.66%
Fastest Growing Segment	Online
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 35.42 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Sunflower Oil Market will grow from USD 24.06 Billion in 2025 to USD 35.42 Billion by 2031 at a 6.66% CAGR. Sunflower oil is a non-volatile oil extracted from the seeds of the Helianthus annuus plant, widely utilized in the culinary and industrial sectors for its light flavor, high smoke point, and rich unsaturated fatty acid profile. The primary drivers propelling market growth include escalating global awareness regarding cardiovascular health, which spurs consumer shifts toward low-cholesterol cooking mediums, and the expanding requirement from the food processing industry for stable frying oils. Additionally, the robust recovery of the HORECA sector continues to sustain high-volume demand for reliable and versatile edible oils.

A significant challenge impeding market expansion is the susceptibility of the supply chain to geopolitical instability in key production regions, which creates volatility in raw material availability and pricing. This unpredictability complicates procurement strategies for major importers and refiners. According to FEDIOL, sunflower seed crushing volumes in the European Union and United Kingdom totaled nearly 3.2 million tons from January to September 2025, reflecting the impact of these supply constraints on regional processing output.

Key Market Drivers

Rapid urbanization and rising disposable incomes in emerging economies are fundamentally reshaping the global sunflower oil landscape, creating a robust consumption hub in developing regions. As purchasing power improves across Asia and Africa, consumers are increasingly transitioning from loose, unbranded fats to packaged, premium edible oils, with sunflower oil being a primary beneficiary due to its perceived quality and versatility. This shift is particularly evident in major importing nations like India, where urbanization trends correlate directly with heightened procurement of soft oils for household and commercial use. According to the Solvent Extractors' Association of India, October 2025, total vegetable oil imports into the country surged by 51% year-on-year in September 2025 to reach 1.64 million tons, highlighting the intensifying appetite for edible oils in key developing markets.

Simultaneously, the market is being propelled by a distinct global shift toward heart-healthy and low-cholesterol edible oils, which has sustained demand despite fluctuating price points. Health-conscious consumers are actively seeking alternatives to high-saturated fats, prioritizing sunflower oil for its rich unsaturated fatty acid profile and vitamin E content. This preference is driving sustained international trade volumes as nations secure supplies to meet domestic nutritional requirements. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, September 2025, the forecast for global sunflower oil imports for the 2025/26 marketing year was revised upward to 12.17 million tons, reflecting these resilient consumption patterns. This strong demand creates a tight market environment, further evidenced by value metrics; according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, November 2025, the Vegetable Oil Price Index rose to 169.4 points in October 2025, with sunflower oil prices increasing for the fourth consecutive month due to firm global buying interest.

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Key Market Challenges

The primary challenge impeding the expansion of the Global Sunflower Oil Market is the susceptibility of the supply chain to geopolitical instability, which causes substantial volatility in raw material availability and pricing. This unpredictability hampers market growth by disrupting the procurement strategies of major refiners, who rely on consistent feedstock volumes to maintain operational efficiency. When political unrest or conflict disturbs key production zones, the immediate outcome is a shortage of sunflower seeds, which forces processors to pay premium rates or halt production lines. Consequently, stakeholders prioritize supply security over business expansion, reducing the overall investment in new product development and market penetration.

This volatile environment restricts the industry's ability to meet global demand consistently. The impact of these raw material shortages is evident in recent production figures. According to the European Federation of Vegetable Oil Producers (FEDIOL), in 2025, the European Union sunflower seed harvest amounted to only 8.6 million tons, a volume described as critical due to the prevailing supply chain disruptions. Such deficits in the primary raw material directly limit the processing capacity of the sector, thereby stalling the revenue growth of the broader market.

Key Market Trends

The Growing Preference for High-Oleic Sunflower Oil is fundamentally altering production priorities as the food service industry demands frying mediums with superior oxidative stability and longer shelf life. This trend is driving a distinct market segmentation where high-oleic variants command significant price premiums over standard linoleic oils, encouraging crushers to prioritize quality-segregated supply chains despite raw material tightness. This value-driven demand is persisting even amidst supply constraints; according to GrainTrade, February 2025, in the 'Reduced supply of high-oleic sunflower oil from Ukraine' report, exports of this premium category from Ukraine dropped by 52% to just 57,000 tons in the first four months of the 2024/25 season, a scarcity that immediately triggered a sharp increase in global market premiums.

Simultaneously, the Emergence of Cold-Pressed and Premium Oils is accelerating as retail consumers increasingly opt for branded, high-quality bottled products over loose or generic alternatives. This shift towards value-added offerings is prompting major processors to invest heavily in bottling capabilities and brand differentiation to capture higher margins in the B2C segment, moving away from a purely volume-based bulk commodity model. This pivot to retail-ready formats is evidenced by operational shifts; according to Kernel Holding S.A., January 2025, in the 'Operations Update Q2 FY2025', the company's sales of bottled sunflower oil reached 26,000 tons for the quarter, reflecting the strategic focus on expanding consumer-packaged volumes amidst broader processing volatility.

Segmental Insights

The Online segment represents the fastest-growing distribution channel within the Global Sunflower Oil Market, driven by the increasing global adoption of e-commerce platforms. This growth is primarily supported by rising internet penetration and smartphone usage, which allow consumers to access a wider variety of brands than typically available in physical retail stores. Additionally, major retailers are investing in digital infrastructure to improve logistics and delivery efficiency. Consequently, the convenience of home delivery combined with competitive pricing structures continues to shift consumer preferences toward digital purchasing channels, fostering rapid expansion in this category.

Regional Insights

North America commands a leading position in the Global Sunflower Oil Market, driven by robust demand from the mature food processing sector and rising consumer health awareness. A critical factor securing this market dominance is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory action banning artificial trans fats, which compelled manufacturers to replace partially hydrogenated oils with healthier, stable alternatives like high-oleic sunflower oil. Consequently, the region sees extensive application of this oil in snack manufacturing and bakery products. The strong preference for non-GMO, heart-healthy ingredients further reinforces North America’s standing as the primary revenue generator in the global landscape.

Recent Developments

• In August 2024, Bunge India Private Limited announced the expansion of its refined sunflower oil brand, Fiona, into the Telangana market. The company introduced the product with a specialized "VitoProtect" formula, which is claimed to ensure a higher transfer of essential vitamins from the oil to food during cooking. Senior leadership at Bunge India emphasized that the decision to enter this state was driven by the region's status as a major market for sunflower oil and the increasing consumer demand for nutrient-focused products. The launch aims to establish the brand as a healthier choice for households in the region by addressing concerns about vitamin loss during the cooking process.
• In July 2024, Gemini Edibles & Fats India Ltd. expanded its market presence by launching a new sunflower oil brand named "Be-Rite" in Tamil Nadu. The company, which already holds a significant share of the Indian sunflower oil market with its "Freedom" brand, introduced this new label specifically to cater to the preferences of consumers in this region. Executives at the firm noted that the entry into Tamil Nadu is a strategic move to capture a targeted market share over the next five years. The launch strategy involves initially focusing on urban centers before expanding distribution to other parts of the state, leveraging the company's existing manufacturing capabilities.
• In May 2024, CHO America introduced a new product line called Bella Del Sol at the SIAL Canada exhibition. This launch featured high oleic sunflower oils packaged in a unique, squeezable bottle designed for consumer convenience in both home and professional kitchens. The company highlighted the product's high smoke point and neutral flavor profile, positioning it as a versatile option for various cooking techniques. The range includes pure high oleic sunflower oil as well as infused variants with natural extracts such as garlic and lemon. The Chief Executive Officer of CHO America stated that the product aims to set a new standard for healthy, organic cooking oils in the Canadian market.
• In April 2024, NASA Harvest announced a continued partnership with Kernel, a leading producer and exporter of sunflower oil based in Ukraine. This collaboration focuses on advancing satellite-driven agricultural monitoring to address challenges in global food security and production. The initiative utilizes remote sensing and machine learning to map crop types, with Kernel providing essential ground data to validate these models. The project achieved high accuracy in identifying sunflower and other crops, enabling better production estimates and informing decisions within the agricultural sector. This joint effort underscores the role of data-driven technology in optimizing supply chains for major agricultural commodities.

Key Market Players

• Archer Daniels Midland Company
• Bunge Global SA
• Cargill, Incorporated
• AVRIL SCA
• Kaissa Oil
• Agamahil Natural Products Pvt Ltd
• Risoil S.A.
• Gustav Heess Oleochemische Erzeugnisse GmbH
• MWC Group
• Kevala International LLC

By Type	By Application	By Distribution Channel	By Region
Linoleic Oil Mid-oleic Oil High-oleic Oil	Food Biofuels Personal Care	Online and Offline	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Sunflower Oil Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Sunflower Oil Market, By Type:

• Linoleic Oil
• Mid-oleic Oil
• High-oleic Oil

• Sunflower Oil Market, By Application:

• Food
• Biofuels
• Personal Care

• Sunflower Oil Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Online and Offline

• Sunflower Oil Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE