Sunflower seed

What is Sunflower seed?

Sunflower seeds are the edible seeds of the sunflower plant (Helianthus annuus). The plant is native to North America and is now grown around the world for its seeds, which are used in a variety of culinary and commercial applications.

Sunflower seeds are typically small, flat, and oval-shaped, with a black and white striped outer shell that encases the kernel or meat inside. The kernel is pale yellow or greenish and has a nutty flavor and a crunchy texture. Sunflower seeds are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, and are often used in baking, cooking, and snacking.

Sunflower seeds can be consumed raw or roasted, and are often sold either with or without the shells. They can be used as a topping for salads and baked goods, blended into nut butter, or ground into a powder and used as a gluten-free flour substitute. Sunflower oil is also extracted from the seeds and is used in cooking, salad dressings, and other food products.

Sunflower seed Production in the World

The global production of Sunflower Seed plays a significant role in agriculture and trade. As of 2023, Russia is the top producer, contributing 18,100,000 tonnes, which accounts for 30.90% of the total global production. Ukraine ranks second, producing 12,759,690 tonnes, representing 21.78% of the world's output. Other significant producers include Argentina, China, and Turkiye, with production levels of 5,018,874, 3,000,000, and 2,198,000 tonnes, respectively. Palestine has the lowest production among the listed countries, contributing just 1 tonnes in 2023. In total, global production of Sunflower Seed reached approximately 58,574,873 tonnes in 2023.

Top 10 Countries by Sunflower seed Production in 2023

Countries Ranked by Sunflower Seed Production in 2023

Source:FAOSTAT
Last Updated: 23 Jan 2025

Rank	Country	Production (Tonnes)	Acreage (Hectare)	Yield
1	Russia	18,100,000	9,900,000	1,828
2	Ukraine	12,759,690	5,201,600	2,453
3	Argentina	5,018,874	2,453,245	2,046
4	China	3,000,000	1,000,000	3,000
5	Turkiye	2,198,000	952,605	2,307
6	France	2,061,430	821,740	2,509
7	Romania	2,015,620	1,077,870	1,870
8	Hungary	1,970,150	674,200	2,922
9	Bulgaria	1,783,990	869,910	2,051
10	Kazakhstan	1,236,444	1,127,114	1,097
11	Tanzania	1,170,000	1,085,000	1,078
12	United States	1,026,720	512,940	2,002
13	Spain	849,400	781,710	1,087
14	Moldova	758,274	390,022	1,944
15	South Africa	720,000	555,700	1,296
16	Serbia	686,268	240,520	2,853
17	India	363,137	364,450	996
18	Italy	307,320	122,460	2,510
19	Uganda	300,000	287,000	1,045
20	Bolivia	180,540	172,029	1,050
21	Slovakia	173,540	61,800	2,808
22	Myanmar	170,941	185,108	924
23	Germany	170,100	68,900	2,469
24	Croatia	157,620	59,900	2,631
25	Greece	157,190	73,510	2,138
26	Pakistan	133,188	75,832	1,756
27	Sudan	110,000	205,000	537
28	Canada	92,468	39,800	2,323
29	Zambia	91,607	190,385	481
30	Brazil	87,051	53,757	1,619
31	Austria	65,530	24,070	2,723
32	Iran	65,000	62,000	1,048
33	Poland	57,700	25,540	2,259
34	South Sudan	52,882	30,449	1,737
35	Czech Republic	49,310	19,800	2,490
36	Zimbabwe	40,700	87,295	466
37	Paraguay	38,005	22,500	1,689
38	Australia	37,045	25,115	1,475
39	Morocco	32,604	24,805	1,314
40	Azerbaijan	28,178	9,899	2,847
41	Uzbekistan	28,123	6,916	4,067
42	Thailand	27,000	32,000	844
43	Egypt	25,000	12,000	2,083
44	Malawi	22,000	20,000	1,100
45	Switzerland	17,913	6,360	2,817
46	Syria	14,636	9,816	1,491
47	Tajikistan	14,000	5,000	2,800
48	Angola	12,322	17,342	711
49	Uruguay	10,478	11,000	953
50	Botswana	9,998	12,890	776
51	Mozambique	9,419	21,562	437
52	Portugal	8,730	4,710	1,854
53	Tunisia	6,539	7,560	865
54	Ethiopia	6,352	5,626	1,129
55	Kenya	6,000	6,000	1,000
56	North Macedonia	5,950	4,764	1,249
57	Venezuela	5,756	8,995	640
58	Kyrgyzstan	5,449	4,126	1,321
59	Mexico	5,035	4,377	1,150
60	Chile	4,650	3,722	1,249
61	Belarus	3,000	2,000	1,500
62	Georgia	2,600	2,500	1,040
63	Bosnia and Herzegovina	1,665	724	2,300
64	Israel	1,600	398	4,017
65	Slovenia	1,200	610	1,967
66	Afghanistan	1,068	1,000	1,068
67	Albania	770	327	2,355
68	Luxembourg	440	290	1,517
69	Iraq	267	168	1,586
70	Ecuador	231	129	1,789
71	Algeria	88	200	442
72	Namibia	70	63	1,100
73	Puerto Rico	4	4	1,000
74	Bhutan	3	3	1,159
75	Palestine	1	1	1,024

Nutritional Information of Sunflower seed

The following is the approximate nutritional composition of sunflower seeds per 100 grams:

Calories: 584 kcal
Carbohydrates: 20.0 grams
- Dietary fiber: 8.6 grams
- Sugars: 2.6 grams
Fat: 51.5 grams
- Saturated fat: 4.5 grams
- Monounsaturated fat: 18.5 grams
- Polyunsaturated fat: 23.1 grams
  - Omega-6 fatty acids: 22.9 grams
  - Omega-3 fatty acids: 0.2 grams
Protein: 20.8 grams
Vitamins:
Vitamin E: 35.17 milligrams
Thiamin (Vitamin B1): 1.48 milligrams
Niacin (Vitamin B3): 8.33 milligrams
Vitamin B6: 1.35 milligrams
Folate (Vitamin B9): 227 micrograms
Minerals:
Magnesium: 325 milligrams
Phosphorus: 660 milligrams
Potassium: 645 milligrams
Zinc: 5.0 milligrams
Iron: 5.25 milligrams

Please note that these values are approximate and can vary depending on the specific variety of sunflower seeds.

Regional Variety of Sunflower seed

Sunflower seeds are widely cultivated around the world, resulting in different regional varieties. Here are a few examples of regional varieties of sunflower seeds:

Russian Sunflower Seeds: Russia is known for producing a variety of sunflower seeds, including both oilseed varieties and confectionery varieties. Russian sunflower seeds are often larger and are commonly used for oil extraction or as a snack.
Argentinian Sunflower Seeds: As a significant producer of sunflower seeds, Argentina cultivates mainly smaller-sized seeds that are primarily used for oil production.
American Sunflower Seeds: The United States is another significant producer of sunflower seeds. American sunflower seeds are often categorized into oilseed varieties used for oil production and larger confectionery varieties popular as a snack.
Bulgarian Sunflower Seeds: Bulgaria is known for its high-quality sunflower seeds. Bulgarian sunflower seeds are valued for their taste and are commonly used in confectionery products or eaten as a snack.
Chinese Sunflower Seeds: China plays a crucial role as a prominent producer and consumer of sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds from China come in diverse sizes and serve various purposes, including both oil extraction and snacking.
Hungarian Sunflower Seeds: Hungary has a long history of sunflower cultivation. Hungarian sunflower seeds are typically larger and are favored for their flavor. They are often used in bakery products, cooking, or eaten as a snack.

These are just a few examples of regional varieties of sunflower seeds, and different countries may have specific varieties that are cultivated and preferred for various purposes.

Structure of Sunflower seed

Sunflower seed has a unique and interesting structure. Here are its main parts:

Outer hull: The outer hull of the sunflower seed is typically black and white striped and is relatively thick and hard. It protects the kernel inside.
Kernel: The kernel, also called the meat or cotyledon, is the edible part of the sunflower seed. It is surrounded by thin, papery skin and has a pale yellow or greenish color.
Embryo: The embryo is the small, white, crescent-shaped structure that is attached to the kernel. It is part of the seed that will grow into a new sunflower plant if the seed is planted.
Endosperm: The endosperm is the starchy, nutrient-rich tissue that surrounds the embryo and provides it with the nutrients it needs to germinate and grow.

Sunflower seeds are also known for their unique spiraling pattern, which can be seen by looking at the top of the seed where it was attached to the flower head. This pattern is caused by the way the seeds grow and pack together in the flower head.

Uses of Sunflower seed

Sunflower seeds have a variety of culinary and commercial uses. Here are a few examples:

Snack food: Sunflower seeds are often roasted and salted and sold as a healthy snack food.
Baking: Sunflower seeds can be used as an ingredient in baked goods such as bread, muffins, and granola.
Salad topping: Sunflower seeds can be sprinkled on top of salads for added crunch and flavor.
Nut butter: Sunflower seeds can be blended into creamy nut butter that can be used as a spread or a dip.
Oil production: Sunflower seeds are a good source of oil, and are often pressed to extract sunflower oil, which is used in cooking, salad dressings, and other food products.
Animal feed: Sunflower seeds and their byproducts are often used as feed for livestock and other animals.
Birdseed: Sunflower seeds are a popular ingredient in birdseed mixes, as they are a good source of nutrition for birds.
Cosmetics: Sunflower oil is often used as an ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products, such as lotions and lip balms, due to its moisturizing properties.

Types of Sunflower seed

There are several different types of sunflower seeds, each with its unique characteristics and uses. Here are a few common types:

Confectionery sunflower seeds: These are the most commonly consumed type of sunflower seed and are often used as a snack food. They have a larger size, striped black and white hull, and a grayish-white kernel.
Oilseed sunflower seeds: These seeds are smaller than confectionery sunflower seeds and have a black hull. They are high in oil content and are often used for oil production.
High oleic sunflower seeds: These seeds have a higher level of oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat, than other types of sunflower seeds. This makes them more stable and less likely to spoil, which makes them a good choice for use in processed foods or for high-temperature cooking.
NuSun sunflower seeds: These seeds were developed to provide a healthy alternative to traditional oils high in saturated and trans fats. They have a lower saturated fat content and a higher monounsaturated fat content and are often used in baking, cooking, and frying.
Organic sunflower seeds: These are sunflower seeds that are grown using organic farming practices, which means they are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. They are often used in health food products or as an ingredient in organic snack foods.