Sunflower is one of the most important oilseed crops grown in Kenya. It is used in the production of cooking oil, animal feed, and biodiesel. This report presents a market analysis of sunflower in Kenya, covering production, consumption, trade, and price trends.
Sunflower Market Analysis in Kenya
Production
Sunflower production in Kenya has been increasing over the past few years. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), sunflower production increased from 27,000 metric tons in 2022 to 38,000 metric tons in 2023, a growth of 41% in five years. The top sunflower producing regions in Kenya are Western Kenya, Rift Valley, and Eastern Kenya.
Consumption
The demand for sunflower oil in Kenya has been growing, driven by population growth, urbanization, and increasing health awareness. According to the KNBS, the per capita consumption of vegetable oil in Kenya is 8.5 kilograms in 2023, up from 6.5 kilograms in 2021. Sunflower oil accounts for approximately 25% of the total vegetable oil consumption in Kenya.
Trade
Kenya is a net importer of sunflower oil. In 2020, Kenya imported 66,000 metric tons of sunflower oil, mainly from Tanzania and Uganda. The value of sunflower oil imports was Ksh. 5.6 billion ($51 million). Kenya also exports sunflower seeds to neighboring countries, such as Tanzania and Uganda.
Price Trends
Sunflower prices in Kenya are influenced by both local and international factors. In recent years, sunflower prices in Kenya have been volatile due to fluctuations in global prices of vegetable oils, especially soybean oil. The average retail price of sunflower oil in Kenya was Ksh. 195 per liter in 2023, up from Ksh. 180 per liter in 2022.
Sunflower production in Kenya is increasing, driven by growing demand for sunflower oil. However, Kenya remains a net importer of sunflower oil. To promote local production and reduce dependence on imports, there is a need to improve the productivity of sunflower farmers and enhance the value chain through investments in processing, storage, and marketing.
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