Falling to a series low
U.S. Sunflower Oil Production moved from 221 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 179 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (−19%), an average of −2.6% a year. The series high was 252 Thousand Tonnes in 2022 and the low 179 Thousand Tonnes in 2023.
What U.S. Sunflower Oil Production shows
U.S. Sunflower Oil Production was 179 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 29% on 2022. The United States sunflower oil industry experienced fluctuations in production between 2015 and 2023, reflecting changes in sunflower cultivation patterns, crop yields, weather conditions, and market demand. Sunflower oil production declined from 221.00 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 179.00 thousand tonnes in 2023, indicating a moderate contraction over the period.
A 29% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2022) and low (2023) is 73.00 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +33.3% in 2022.
Ranks 12 of 24 countries covered
Among the 24 countries in this dataset, U.S. ranks 12 for 2023, behind Russia (7,039 Thousand Tonnes) and Ukraine (6,044 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 790.1% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
U.S. Sunflower Oil Production by year
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 Trough | 179 | −29% |
| 2022Peak | 252 | +33.3% |
| 2021 | 189 | −17.1% |
| 2020 | 228 | +21.9% |
| 2019 | 187 | −11.4% |
| 2018 | 211 | +5.5% |
| 2017 | 200 | −4.8% |
| 2016 | 210 | −5% |
| 2015 | 221 | — |
Regional context
How U.S. compares in North America
Sunflower Oil Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. U.S. is highlighted.
1U.S.179
2Canada32.60
3Mexico12.90
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
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.
About this indicator
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.
Production remained relatively stable during the initial years, with output ranging between 187.00 and 211.00 thousand tonnes from 2015 to 2018. However, production increased to 228.00 thousand tonnes in 2020 before reaching its highest level of 252.00 thousand tonnes in 2022, supported by improved sunflower acreage, favorable growing conditions, and stronger demand for domestic vegetable oils. The decline in 2023 reflects changes in production conditions and market dynamics. Sunflower cultivation in the U.S. is concentrated mainly in the Great Plains region, particularly in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Kansas, where climatic conditions are suitable for oilseed sunflower production. Farmers cultivate both oilseed and non-oilseed sunflower varieties, with oilseed varieties primarily supporting sunflower oil extraction. The industry benefits from advanced agricultural technologies, efficient farming practices, and established oil processing infrastructure. The U.S. sunflower oil sector plays an important role within the broader vegetable oil market, supplying cooking oil, food processing industries, and industrial applications. Although production volumes are smaller compared with major global producers such as Ukraine and Russia, the country maintains a significant position due to its advanced agricultural systems and consistent domestic demand. Future production trends will depend on sunflower acreage expansion, commodity prices, climate variability, and competition from alternative oil crops such as soybean and canola.
- Indicator
- Sunflower Oil Production
- Country
- U.S.
- Region
- North America
- Unit
- Thousand Tonnes
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Agriculture
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
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Frequently asked questions
What is U.S. 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.
What was U.S. Sunflower Oil Production in 2023?
U.S. Sunflower Oil Production was 179 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 29% on 2022.
How has U.S. Sunflower Oil Production changed between 2015 and 2023?
U.S. Sunflower Oil Production moved from 221 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 179 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (−19%), an average of −2.6% a year. The series high was 252 Thousand Tonnes in 2022 and the low 179 Thousand Tonnes in 2023.
Which year had the highest and lowest U.S. Sunflower Oil Production?
The highest value was 252 Thousand Tonnes in 2022 and the lowest was 179 Thousand Tonnes in 2023.
What does the U.S. Sunflower Oil Production data include and exclude?
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.
Where does the U.S. Sunflower Oil Production data come from?
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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