South African sunflower production ranges from 600 000 tons to 800 000 tonnes. Sunflowers is an important summer-season crop in South Africa as well. (This photo was taken at the Agricultural Research Council’s Oil and Protein Seeds research farm in Potchefstroom)
Is sunflower oil a food product in South Africa?
South Africa has classified sunflower oil as a basic food product, mainly used for home consumption. A large percentage of the South African sunflower crop is absorbed by the processing industry for conversion to mainly cooking oil. Globally, sunflower production makes up around 8% of the total global vegetable oil production (Konyali 2017).
How has the South African sunflower industry changed over the past two years?
Over the past two decades, the South African sunflower industry has been characterised by volatile production levels with virtually no real growth while domestic demand for oilcake and vegetable oil has increased by approximately 40%. The imports of seed, oil and cake have gradually been increasing to meet the rising domestic demand levels.
What percentage of South Africa’s sunflower crop is absorbed by processing industry?
A large percentage of the South African sunflower crop is absorbed by the processing industry for conversion to mainly cooking oil. Globally, sunflower production makes up around 8% of the total global vegetable oil production (Konyali 2017). In South Africa, sunflower is cultivated throughout the country.