The demand for sunflower seeds in Austria has shown a fluctuating yet generally upward trend over the last decade. In 2023, the market stood at 171 thousand metric tons, reflecting a modest year-on-year increase of 1.79%. Over the last five years, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was 1.09%, showing steady growth despite some annual variations. From 2014 to 2023, the largest yearly growth was observed in 2016 with a 28.97% increase, contrasting with a significant drop of 15.08% in 2015. Looking forward, the market is projected to grow at a 1.12% CAGR from 2024 to 2028, reaching 184 thousand metric tons by 2028.

Future trends to watch for include:

The impact of global agricultural policies on sunflower seed production and trade.
Changing consumer preferences towards plant-based diets which might influence demand.
Technological advancements in farming techniques improving sunflower yield and quality.