Global Sunflower Ingredient Market - 2025-2032

Global Sunflower Ingredient Market reached US$ 41.3 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 47.8 billion by 2032, growing with a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period 2025-2032.

(69.1%).

The sunflower ingredients market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing consumer demand for plant-based, healthy and sustainable food alternatives. Among sunflower-derived products, sunflower oil continues to dominate the market due to its widespread use in cooking, food processing and cosmetics.

Moreover, sunflower protein is expected to grow with the highest CAGR due to its evolving applications, particularly in plant-based food applications, due to its neutral taste, high protein content and hypoallergenic properties. Europe currently leads the global sunflower ingredients market, with countries like Ukraine, Russia and the EU being major producers and exporters. Asia-Pacific is emerging as a key growth region, driven by the increasing adoption of plant-based diets and health-conscious consumers.

Consumer insights indicate a growing preference for guilt-free pasta, with sunflower protein playing a pivotal role in providing a high-protein, low-carb and gluten-free alternative. The rise in demand for functional foods is boosting the incorporation of sunflower protein into pasta formulations, offering nutritional benefits without compromising taste or texture.

The market for starch alternatives is also expanding, as sunflower-based starches offer a healthier and more sustainable substitute for traditional starches. Sunflower starch provides a low-glycemic, non-GMO and gluten-free option, making it ideal for diabetic-friendly, keto and clean-label food products. This trend aligns with the increasing consumer demand for healthier, plant-based ingredients.

Dynamics

Rising Demand For Plant-Based Products

The rising demand for plant-based products is a significant driver for the growth of the sunflower ingredients market. As consumers become more health-conscious and environmentally aware, there is a growing shift toward plant-based diets and clean-label products. Sunflower ingredients, such as sunflower oil, sunflower seed flour and sunflower lecithin, are gaining popularity due to their nutritional benefits and no allergic properties in plant-based compounds.

For instance, as per the Smart Protein Consumer Survey conducted in Europe, 51% of European meat eaters reduced their annual meat intake in 2023, 46% of Europeans trust plant-based alternatives more than they did three years ago and nearly 40% of Europeans plan on consuming more plant-based alternatives. Sunflower protein can act as a healthy alternative for all the population who are choosing veganism and plant-based diets. As the consumer choices shit, the food and beverage industries are actively upgrading their offerings.

Sunflower seed flour is increasingly being incorporated into vegan protein powders, confectionaries, baked goods, etc. For instance, a study published in the MDPI journals in September 2023 stated that Confections and food-grade sunflower seeds are widely used as ingredients and the trend is expected to grow in the future with increasing adoption rates. The plant-based trend, driven by a desire for healthier, sustainable food choices, is expanding the market for sunflower ingredients.

Rising Applications Of Sunflower Ingredients

Sunflower ingredients are increasingly utilized across diverse industries due to their versatility and nutritional benefits. In the food and beverage sector, sunflower oil is commonly used for cooking, frying and in products like salad dressings, snacks and margarine. Sunflower protein is becoming a key component in plant-based foods such as protein bars and meat alternatives, while sunflower lecithin serves as an emulsifier in processed foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Beyond food, sunflower meal and oil are important in animal feed, providing high-protein, energy-rich nutrients for livestock. Sunflower oil is also used in biofuel production, offering a renewable resource for biodiesel. In cosmetics, sunflower extracts are valued for their antioxidant properties, contributing to skin and hair care products. These expanding applications underscore the growing demand for sunflower ingredients across multiple sectors.

High-competition From Alternative Ingredients

As consumers increasingly seek diverse and innovative options, ingredients like soy, pea protein and canola oil are often seen as viable substitutes to sunflower products, particularly in the food and beverage industry. These alternatives can sometimes offer similar nutritional benefits, lower costs or be more readily available, intensifying competition. Additionally, as plant-based and sustainable ingredient sourcing gains traction, other ingredients, such as algae or hemp, are emerging as popular choices, further diversifying the landscape.

The rising competition compels sunflower ingredient producers to continuously innovate, improve processing techniques and highlight the unique benefits of sunflower-derived products, such as their allergen-free, non-GMO qualities and their versatility across multiple sectors. To stay competitive, companies must emphasize these differentiators while addressing price pressures and sustainability concerns in order to maintain their market position.

Segment Analysis

The global sunflower ingredient market is segmented based on ingredient, application and region.

High Popularity of Sunflower Oil

The global sunflower ingredient market is segmented based on ingredient sunflower oil is extracted from the seeds of the sunflower plant. It is rich in unsaturated fats, particularly linoleic acid and vitamin E. It is valued for its neutral flavor, high smoke point and health benefits, making it ideal for frying, baking and salad dressings. Sunflower oil is also used in cosmetics and personal care products due to its moisturizing properties.

Among the sunflower ingredients, oil is the most commonly consumed due to its popularity in the vegetable oil segment. According to Kernel, one of the global leaders in sunflower oil production has stated that Sunflower oil is the fourth-largest consumed vegetable oil in the world, with a 9.6% market share in the 2023/24 season. According to USDA, the sunflower is among the top seed oils produced globally.

The production quantity is seeing a rise. In 2020/21 sunflower seed production stood at 48.87 million metric tons, which has risen to 56.03 million metric tons in 2023/2024. Moreover, as per USDA statistics, sunflower oil production in 2020/2021 stood at 19.01 million metric tons, which has risen to 22.13 million metric tons in 2023/24. This reflects the increasing trends in the global demand for sunflower oil.

Geographical Penetration

Higher Consumption And Production Volumes Of Sunflower Ingredients in Europe

Europe is one of the top regions with higher consumption and production volumes of sunflower ingredients. For instance, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Statistics, the top sunflower oil-producing countries in 2023/2024 are highly saturated in the European region, with Russia, Ukraine and the European Union accounting for 80% of the total global production volume.

Apart from sunflower oil, the region provides a greater opportunity for several ingredients such as flours, lecithin and starches, which find their major applications in the food and beverages industry, especially in the baked goods segment. Europe is the dominating region in this baked goods industry, with higher per capita consumption of foods like bread, cookies, etc. Sunflower flour can act as a major alternative to traditional wheat, as it's healthy with high protein content and low gluten volumes.

Moreover, with the rising emphasis on clean-label, natural and allergen-free food products in Europe, the sunflower ingredients align perfectly with these consumer preferences. Sunflower-based products, such as sunflower lecithin and protein, are non-GMO, allergen-friendly and provide health benefits like heart-healthy fats and antioxidants. The presence of major sunflower ingredients facilitated significant advancements in product development and the expansion of sunflower ingredient.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the market include Kernel, Cargill, Incorporated, ADM, Adani Group, Avril (Sunbloom Proteins GmbH), All Organic Treasures GmbH, Cambridge Commodities, ONSET WORLDWIDE, LLC., Europack, CEREAL DOCKS SPA and Bunge.

Early-Stage Innovations

Early-stage innovations are crucial for analyzing market trends as they provide insights into technological advancements future product offerings and competitive advantages. In the sunflower ingredient market, early-stage innovations are highly concentrated on cultivating techniques, production of high-yielding, drought-resistant sunflower seeds and methods of processing to harvest highly purified ingredients.

The innovation by ElicitPlant is expected to offer a sustainable solution to combat drought stress in sunflower crops, enhancing yields during water scarcity. The novel technology by Burcon NutraScience Corporation offers an economical and scalable solution that can be used to extract sunflower seed protein for food and beverage applications. There are several such innovations by emerging players, which are expected to revolutionize the sunflower ingredient industry.

Key Developments

• In 2023, ElicitPlant launched EliSun-a, in Europe an innovative solution for protecting the sunflower crops. The product is designed to combat drought stress and enhance yields during water scarcity.
• In September 2022, Burcon NutraScience Corporation has announced that they have developed a novel technology for extract high-purity protein ingredients from sunflower seeds. The company has leveraged its proproitory extraction and purification technologies to derive the highly pure protein isolate which possess neutral taste and off-white color.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global sunflower ingredient market segmentation based on ingredient, application and region, as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development.
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of the sunflower ingredient market with all segments.
• PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
• Product mapping available as excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The global sunflower ingredient market report would provide approximately 57 tables, 52 figures and 209 pages.

Target Audience 2025

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies