This article provides a comprehensive overview of crude sunflower oil production and exports from Tanzania, South Africa, and Argentina, three countries with distinct strengths in the global edible oil sector. It explains how sunflower oil — known for its neutral taste, high vitamin E content, and healthy fat profile — is becoming increasingly important as global buyers seek alternatives to more volatile vegetable oils. Readers will learn how Tanzania is rapidly expanding its sunflower oil industry through modern crushing facilities and sustainable smallholder farming, positioning itself as a rising exporter of non-GMO oil. The article also examines South Africa’s role as a stable regional supplier with established processing capacity and strong quality control.

Refined sunflower oil is one of the most widely consumed vegetable oils in the world, prized for its light taste, versatility, and high nutritional value. Extracted from sunflower seeds and refined to remove impurities, it is used in cooking, frying, baking, and food manufacturing. High-oleic variants of sunflower oil, with a favorable fatty acid profile, are particularly valued for their heart-health benefits and frying stability. While countries like Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey dominate global sunflower oil exports, new origins such as Spain, Colombia, Brazil — and increasingly South Africa — are developing their refining industries and exploring international markets.