Oilseeds Market By Type (Soybeans, Canola, Sunflower, Peanuts, Cottonseed, Sesame, Flaxseeds, Mustard, Safflower, Chia Seeds, Others), By Category (Conventional, Genetically Modified), By Application (Animal feed, Edible Oils, Biofuels, Food Products, Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals, Others), By Distribution Channel (Online, Offline {Supermarkets and hypermarkets, Convenience stores, Others}), Global Market Size, Segmental analysis, Regional Overview, Company share analysis, Leading Company Profiles And Market Forecast, 2025 – 2035

Industry Outlook

The Oilseeds market accounted for USD 284.5 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 502.1 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of around 5.3% between 2025 and 2035. Oilseeds market refers to the marketing and production of seeds, primarily cultivated and used for their respective vegetable oils. These include major oilseeds like soybeans, sunflower, canola, palm, and cottonseed, which are highly processed for edible oil.

The market depends on agricultural output, climate, and terms of trade in vegetable oil from other countries. Oilseeds are also applied to animal feed, biofuels, and other non-food products. The oilseed market is hugely affected by supply and demand shifts, price volatility, and geopolitical factors because oilseed production typically involves complex global supply chains. Government subsidies and regulations on oilseed production and trade also have significant impacts on market prices and production volumes.

Report Scope:

Market Dynamics

• Growth Drivers in the Oilseeds Market Rising Demand for Plant-Based Oils

One major growth engine in the oilseeds market lies in the rising demand for plant-based oils, from the growing interest of consumers in healthy and plant-based diets. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), consumption worldwide of vegetable oils has constantly been on the increase as their health benefits in comparison with oils based on animals, gain increasing attention.

As remarked by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), soybean oil production has increased as it is used in food and biofuel applications. According to the European Commission, there is a growing preference for plant-based food, with vegetable oils becoming the main substitute for animal fats. As governments and institutions push toward healthy, sustainable diets, plant-based oil tracks that pace and contribute to the uptick in the oilseeds market as an entity.

• Technological Advancements Driving Growth in the Oilseeds Market

Technological improvement in agriculture farming, pest control, and seed varieties has contributed to large increases in oilseed yields and quality. According to the USDA, the development of genetically improved seed varieties as well as the implementation of precision agriculture technologies have increased the efficiency of oilseed production and higher crop yields. Also, IPM and biological control methods diminish the reliance on chemical pesticides and thereby enhance sustainability and decrease costs.

According to the FAO, technologies like drought-resistant crops and irrigation systems benefit oilseed farmers in adapting to changing climate conditions, thus increasing productivity in regions. Supported by government policy and funding for agricultural research, oilseed farming has been promoted into the most robust and efficient agricultural industry fueling growth in this global market of oilseeds.

• Weather Dependency and Climate Change as Key Restraints in the Oilseeds Market

The other major restraint of the oilseeds market is weather dependency. Soybeans and sunflowers are very sensitive to climatic conditions. The U.S. Department of Agriculture states that severe climatic conditions like droughts, floods, and storms have started disturbing crop yields in recent years, which has caused the oilseed production levels to vary in recent years. NOAA reports further that the United States has seen an upsurge in weather-related disasters, with 2017-2021 as the five warmest years recorded in the history of this country, exacerbating conditions for oilseed farming.

The Food and Agriculture Organization also warns that climate change is seen to decrease viability prospects for oilseed crops in some areas, especially those already at risk due to extreme weather patterns, such as Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia. As weather patterns in the future become increasingly unpredictable, risks faced by oilseed farmers increase, which will eventually translate to market volatility.

• Growing Demand for Sustainably Certified Oilseeds Driven by Consumer Preferences for Ethical Sourcing

Sustainability certification of oilseeds such as fair trade, organic, and non-GMO becomes a more important market growth driver since consumers seek products with increasingly acceptable origins. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the organic market in the United States has experienced consistent annual growth of about 5-6%, consumers are willing to pay a premium for certified organic oilseeds such as soybean and canola. The European Commission reports that over 50% of European consumers look into the sustainability and ethical sourcing of food products before purchase, thereby increasing the demand for oilseed products bearing an eco-label.

Moreover, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights that certified non-GMO and fair-trade oilseeds are on the rise, with developed markets being the most encouraging due to the influence of environmental considerations and social responsibility in purchasing decisions. As sustainability becomes one of the key yardsticks for consumers, governments are supporting eco-certification standards, thereby encouraging growth in this market segment further.

• Growth Opportunities in the Oilseeds Market Rise of Cold-Pressed and Specialty Oils

The expansion of cold-pressed and specialty oils presents a growth opportunity in oilseeds as consumers seek premium, high-quality products. The United States Department of Agriculture observes that demand for cold-pressed oils has been significantly increasing from seed sources such as sunflower, flax, and canola, and the market for cold-pressed oils remains on an increasing trajectory as consumers opt for healthier, more natural products. The European Commission reports that more than 40% of consumers in Europe now prefer organic and cold-pressed oils as part of a broader trend toward natural and minimally processed foods.

The Food and Agriculture Organization further denotes that there is an increasing demand globally for specialty oils used in cosmetic and wellness products, where U.S. and European markets have continued to rise steadily. For instance, with the increasing demand for quality, sustainably sourced oils, governments are supporting industry innovation through regulations that ensure quality and create more opportunities for the cold-pressed and specialty oil segment.

Industry Experts Opinion

"This full spectrum protein value chain facilitates a seamless flow of information and provides valuable insights that empower market participants to make informed data-driven decisions."

• Piero Carello, Global Pricing Director, Agriculture & Food, S&P Global Commodity Insights.

Segment Analysis

Based on type, the oilseeds market includes soybeans, canola, sunflower, peanuts, cottonseed, sesame, flaxseeds, mustard, safflower, chia seeds, and others. Soybeans and canola are the most prominent due to their high oil content, versatility, and widespread use in food production, biofuels, and animal feed, making them the leading oilseeds globally.

Based on category, the oilseeds market includes conventional and genetically modified (GM) oilseeds. GM oilseeds, known for higher yields and pest resistance, are gaining popularity worldwide.

By application, the oilseeds market includes animal feed, edible oils, biofuels, food products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and others, with oilseeds primarily used for oils, animal feed, and biofuels. Edible oils lead the market due to their widespread use in cooking and food production, driving high demand globally.

Regional Analysis

North America is the world's largest region in the oilseeds market, with the U.S. major soybean producers globally. The region enjoys intensive farming practices and extensive arable land, highly advanced supply chain arrangements for oilseed production and processing, and top-of-the-line agriculture systems with better yields. It is thus dominated by the market in oil production for food, biofuels, and animal feed.

The U.S. also boasts a very healthy export market, which contributes to the global leading position of oilseed production in the country. Enhancement in biofuel production has further necessitated demand for oilseeds in the U.S, particularly soybeans and canola.

The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing market for oilseeds, driven by rising demand for vegetable oils in countries like China and India. The consumption of edible oils and oilseeds in food products, biofuels, and animal feed also grows swiftly with increasing rates of urbanization and disposable incomes. Moreover, the modern farming practices and technology used in this region keep improving productivity and accelerate the growth of the market.

Another area under development is oilseed yield improvement for the increased demand for food and industrial purposes. Governments in countries such as India are also promoting the growth of oilseeds through investments in agriculture and subsidies.

Competitive Landscape

The key players in the oilseeds market are the Cargill, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Bunge Limited, Wilmar International, and Olam Group, which control the production, processing, and distribution of oilseeds and associated products. In particular these major players remain highly innovative as they try to comply with escalating consumer demand for plant-based oils and biofuels. ADM recently expanded its operations in North America, adding oilseeds processing capacity to respond to growing demand for plant-based proteins and oils.

Bunge has strategically built investment in more sustainable sourcing, primarily on non-GMO and organic oilseeds, as customer demands for sustainability increase. Wilmar International has been investing in expanding its business of palm oil while also improving sustainability practices. Such developments emphasize that the competitive strategies in place address market trends such as sustainability, biofuels, and plant-based consumption.

Oilseeds Market, Company Shares Analysis, 2024

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Recent Developments:

• In November 2024, Technavio reported that the U.S. seeds market grew by USD 15.10 billion, driven by GM seed adoption and market consolidation, despite challenges from privatization.
• In June 2023, Bayer's Crop Science Division announced plans to expand into regenerative agriculture and adjacent markets like biofuels and carbon farming, aiming to access over 100 billion euros annually and impact 400 million acres by the next decade.
• In March 2023, Scoular, an agriculture supply chain solutions provider, made an investment in an oilseed crush facility in Kansas to support renewable fuel production. This move enables producers to tap into the rapidly growing renewable fuels market.

Report Coverage:

By Type

• Soybeans
• Canola
• Sunflower
• Peanuts
• Cottonseed
• Sesame
• Flaxseeds
• Mustard
• Safflower
• Chia Seeds
• Others

By Category

• Conventional
• Genetically Modified

By Application

• Animal feed
• Edible Oils
• Biofuels
• Food Products
• Cosmetics
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others

Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline
  • Supermarkets and hypermarkets
  • Convenience stores
  • Others

By Region

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• U.K.
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Mexico
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• GCC Countries
• South Africa
• Rest of Middle East & Africa

List of Companies:

• Cargill, Incorporated
• Archer Daniels Midland
• Bunge Limited
• Wilmar International Ltd.
• Olam Group
• ED&F Man
• Glencore
• COFCO Corporation
• Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd.
• Sime Darby Plantation
• American Vegetable Oils, Inc.
• Viterra Inc.
• Marico Limited
• Golden Agri-Resources Ltd.
• Louis Dreyfus

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)