Sunflower seed production in major countries 2023/2024

Russia had the highest projected production volume of sunflower seeds of any country in the world in the 2023/2024 crop year. During that time period, Russia produced around 17 million metric tons of sunflower seeds. Ukraine is also a major producer of sunflower seeds worldwide, with a production volume of around 14 million metric tons in 2023/2024. 

Sunflower seed oil

One of the main commodities that can be produced from sunflower seeds is sunflower seed oil, which is a popular cooking oil. In addition to being the world’s leading producer of sunflower seeds, Ukraine also exports the highest volume of sunflower seed oil of any country. In the United States, domestic consumption of sunflower seed oil was at a peak in 2021 at 328 thousand metric tons.

Leading types of edible oils in the United States

Vegetable oils are a staple in American households and restaurants, used in pan-frying, deep-frying, salad dressings, and more. The edible oil with the highest level of consumption in the United States was soybean oil. Other popular types of vegetable oil among American consumers are canola oil and palm oil. Of all the major edible oil types in the United States, sunflower seed oil is the second to least popular, with a consumption volume higher than only that of peanut oil.