Iraq ranked 10th in global sunflower seed imports in 2025, analyst says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq ranked 10th worldwide in sunflower seed imports in 2025, with import value reaching $157.5 million, according to researcher and financial analyst Ali Kareem Ezzehib. Citing data from Ten Data, Ezzehib said Iraq accounted for about 3% of global imports in the commodity. He noted that the country outpaced Russia, the United States and China on the list, a position he attributed to domestic demand and trade flows tied to the food and oil sectors. Turkey led global sunflower seed imports at $886.1 million, followed by Romania with $322.5 million, Bulgaria with $315.5 million, Spain with $290.8 million and Germany with $285.5 million. France ranked sixth with $257 million, Hungary seventh with $226.2 million, the Netherlands eighth with $180.7 million and Ukraine ninth with $160.4 million. Ezzehib explained that black-husked sunflower seeds are primarily used in sunflower oil production, while black-and-white striped seeds are mainly consumed by people as snacks. The seeds are also used in salads, baked goods, desserts, sunflower seed paste, and bird and pet feed, he added. No further details on trade volumes or supplier countries were immediately available.