The global sunflower oil market keeps expanding thanks to rising demand for healthy cooking oils and stable supply chains. In this fast-moving environment, Turkey plays a critical role as both an importer and exporter—especially due to strong refining capacity, strategic logistics, and experienced Turkish trading companies. As a result, Turkey has become a key bridge between production regions and high-demand markets, making the sunflower oil trade more dynamic and competitive.
Moreover, Turkey’s ability to refine, pack, and re-export sunflower oil strengthens its position in international trade and makes Turkish suppliers highly attractive for long-term partnerships.
Why Turkey and Turkish Companies Matter in the Sunflower Oil Market
Turkey’s importance does not come from location alone. Instead, it is driven by how Turkish companies manage the entire trade cycle—from sourcing and refining to packaging and distribution.
Turkey’s key strengths include:
- Strong import channels from major origins
- Reliable refining and bottling capability
- Flexible shipment options (bulk, bottled, private label)
- Fast access to Middle East, Africa, Balkans, and European routes
- High commercial expertise of Turkish trading companies
Therefore, Turkey acts not only as a buyer but also as a regional hub for value-added sunflower oil exports.
Turkey’s Annual Sunflower Oil Export Volume (Latest Data)
According to World Bank WITS/Comtrade trade data for sunflower-seed and safflower oil (excluding crude) (HS 151219), Turkey exported approximately 811,841,000 KG in 2024, worth about $1.017 billion.
This confirms Turkey’s strong role not just as a consumer market, but also as a major international supplier.
Best Sunflower Oil: Key Features and Content (Table)
Below is a clean table you can use directly in a sales page, catalog, or SEO article:
| Feature | Best Sunflower Oil Standard |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear, bright, golden-yellow color |
| Odor & Taste | Neutral taste, clean smell (no rancid notes) |
| Refining Type | Fully refined (RBD) for stability and food safety |
| Main Fat Type | High in unsaturated fats (better dietary profile) |
| Vitamin Profile | Naturally rich in Vitamin E |
| Smoke Point | High smoke point (suitable for cooking & frying) |
| Typical Uses | Cooking, frying, food production, horeca, retail |
Sunflower oil is widely valued because it is rich in Vitamin E, has a high smoke point, and performs well in household and industrial kitchens.
Where Turkey Exports Sunflower Oil (Annual Export Markets)
Turkey exports sunflower oil to many regions. Based on Turkey’s 2023 export destinations for sunflower-seed/safflower/cotton-seed oil group (HS 1512), the top markets included: Djibouti, Iraq, India, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Yemen, Israel, USA, and Saudi Arabia.
This shows Turkey’s export power is especially strong in:
- Middle East
- North & East Africa
- Strategic transit markets
- High-consumption import countries
Sunflower Oil Imports to Turkey: Main Origin Countries
Turkey imports sunflower oil and sunflowerseed to supply domestic demand and support refining/export operations.
Key Import Sources (Trade Reality)
Since the war started in the Black Sea region, Turkey’s sunflower oil imports from Ukraine surged significantly. In MY 2022/23 (Sep–Jul), Ukraine accounted for nearly 70% of Turkey’s sunflower oil imports, and a large share was refined and then re-exported.
Additionally, trade data also confirms Turkey is a major importer in global crude sunflower oil flows, with significant volumes coming from Ukraine and Russia.
Sunflower Production in Turkey: Main Cities and Regions
Turkey’s sunflower cultivation concentrates mainly in Thrace (Trakya) and Konya, which makes them the most strategic agricultural supply zones.
A study indicates that sunflower production is mainly grown in Thrace and Konya, and in 2018 the provincial shares were led by:
- Tekirdağ ~22.8%
- Edirne ~14.7%
- Kırklareli ~11.6%
- Konya (among top producers)
This makes Thrace the heart of Turkey’s sunflower raw material base, while Konya provides a powerful inland production alternative.
Important note (for accuracy): Public sources often provide regional shares rather than an official “city-by-city exact tonnage output per product type”. If you share your internal production numbers (city → tons → product type), I’ll convert them into a professional table instantly.
Conclusion: Turkey as a Regional Hub for Sunflower Oil Trade
To sum up, Turkey stands out as one of the most active players in the sunflower oil trade. Thanks to strong importing routes (especially from Ukraine), high refining capabilities, and a wide export network, Turkish companies serve international buyers with speed and reliability. Furthermore, Turkey’s annual export figures confirm its growing global influence in sunflower oil supply and distribution.
