Sunflower oil production refers to the total quantity of edible oil extracted from sunflower seeds through various processing methods such as mechanical pressing, solvent extraction, and refining.
South Africa Sunflower Oil Production was 252.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 8.1% on 2022. South Africa is one of Africa’s leading sunflower producers and has developed a well-established sunflower oil industry supported by extensive agricultural land, favorable growing conditions, and strong domestic demand for edible oils.
South Africa Sunflower Oil Production moved from 246.3 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 252.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+2.6%), an average of +0.3% a year. The series high was 299.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2021 and the low 218.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
The gap between the series high (2021) and low (2019) is 80.90 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +30.1% in 2020.
Among the 24 countries in this dataset, South Africa ranks 11 for 2023, behind Russia (7,039 Thousand Tonnes) and Ukraine (6,044 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 1115.4% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 252.7 | −8.1% |
| 2022 | 275 | −8.2% |
| 2021Peak | 299.6 | +5.3% |
| 2020 | 284.5 | +30.1% |
| 2019 Trough | 218.7 | −26.2% |
| 2018 | 296.5 | +2% |
| 2017 | 290.7 | +23.6% |
| 2016 | 235.2 | −4.5% |
| 2015 | 246.3 | — |
Regional context
Sunflower Oil Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. South Africa is highlighted.
Data definition
Sunflower Oil Production — Sunflower oil production refers to the total quantity of edible oil extracted from sunflower seeds through various processing methods such as mechanical pressing, solvent extraction, and refining. It represents the annual output of sunflower-derived oil produced within a country or region and reflects the scale of sunflower cultivation, seed availability, processing capacity, and demand for sunflower-based edible oils. Sunflower oil production is an important agricultural and industrial indicator used to assess trends in oilseed farming, food supply chains, vegetable oil markets, and the overall performance of the sunflower oil industry.
The measurement of sunflower oil production includes the total volume of crude and refined sunflower oil produced from sunflower seeds during a specific period, typically measured in tonnes. It covers oil obtained from commercially cultivated sunflower crops used for food, cooking oil, food processing, and other industrial applications. The indicator includes production from agricultural farms, oil extraction facilities, and processing industries within the reporting country or region. It accounts for variations caused by changes in sunflower cultivation area, seed yields, processing efficiency, technological advancements, and market demand.
Sunflower oil production excludes the production of other vegetable oils such as soybean oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, and olive oil, even if they are processed or marketed alongside sunflower oil. It does not include sunflower seed production itself, sunflower cultivation area, imports and exports of sunflower oil, oil consumption, or storage inventories. The indicator also excludes non-oil sunflower products such as sunflower meal, animal feed, and by-products generated during oil extraction, as well as informal or unreported production activities that are not captured in official agricultural and industrial statistics.
Sunflower Oil Production — Sunflower oil production refers to the total quantity of edible oil extracted from sunflower seeds through various processing methods such as mechanical pressing, solvent extraction, and refining. It represents the annual output of sunflower-derived oil produced within a country or region and reflects the scale of sunflower cultivation, seed availability, processing capacity, and demand for sunflower-based edible oils. Sunflower oil production is an important agricultural and industrial indicator used to assess trends in oilseed farming, food supply chains, vegetable oil markets, and the overall performance of the sunflower oil industry.
Between 2015 and 2023, South Africa’s sunflower oil production showed moderate fluctuations, declining slightly from 246.32 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 252.70 thousand tonnes in 2023, while reaching a peak of 299.60 thousand tonnes in 2021. The production pattern reflects the impact of changing weather conditions, sunflower seed availability, agricultural input costs, and market dynamics. Sunflower cultivation is mainly concentrated in provinces such as the Free State, North West, and Mpumalanga, where farmers benefit from suitable soil conditions and established farming infrastructure. Sunflower is an important rotational crop in South Africa, helping farmers manage soil fertility while generating income from oilseed production. The country’s sunflower oil industry supports various sectors, including farming communities, oil extraction facilities, food processing companies, and retail markets. Despite being a significant regional producer, South Africa’s sunflower oil supply is influenced by domestic consumption growth and competition from other vegetable oils such as soybean and imported edible oils. Improvements in seed technology, farming efficiency, and processing capabilities have helped maintain production stability over the years. Rising demand for healthier cooking oils and locally produced food products provides opportunities for future market expansion. However, challenges such as drought risks, input price volatility, and changing international oil markets continue to affect production performance. Overall, South Africa’s sunflower oil production from 2015 to 2023 highlights the country’s importance in Africa’s vegetable oil sector and its potential for further development through sustainable agricultural practices and improved processing infrastructure.
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Sunflower oil production refers to the total quantity of edible oil extracted from sunflower seeds through various processing methods such as mechanical pressing, solvent extraction, and refining. It represents the annual output of sunflower-derived oil produced within a country or region and reflects the scale of sunflower cultivation, seed availability, processing capacity, and demand for sunflower-based edible oils. Sunflower oil production is an important agricultural and industrial indicator used to assess trends in oilseed farming, food supply chains, vegetable oil markets, and the overall performance of the sunflower oil industry.
South Africa Sunflower Oil Production was 252.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 8.1% on 2022.
South Africa Sunflower Oil Production moved from 246.3 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 252.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+2.6%), an average of +0.3% a year. The series high was 299.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2021 and the low 218.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
The highest value was 299.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2021 and the lowest was 218.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
Included: The measurement of sunflower oil production includes the total volume of crude and refined sunflower oil produced from sunflower seeds during a specific period, typically measured in tonnes. It covers oil obtained from commercially cultivated sunflower crops used for food, cooking oil, food processing, and other industrial applications. The indicator includes production from agricultural farms, oil extraction facilities, and processing industries within the reporting country or region. It accounts for variations caused by changes in sunflower cultivation area, seed yields, processing efficiency, technological advancements, and market demand. Excluded: Sunflower oil production excludes the production of other vegetable oils such as soybean oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, and olive oil, even if they are processed or marketed alongside sunflower oil. It does not include sunflower seed production itself, sunflower cultivation area, imports and exports of sunflower oil, oil consumption, or storage inventories. The indicator also excludes non-oil sunflower products such as sunflower meal, animal feed, and by-products generated during oil extraction, as well as informal or unreported production activities that are not captured in official agricultural and industrial statistics.
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&overlay=download-data&Food=Sunflower+oil&Metric=Production&Per+capita=false&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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