Packaged Sunflower Seeds Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Form (Raw, Roasted), By Flavor (Plain/Unflavored, Salted/Flavored), By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030

Packaged Sunflower Seeds Market Trends

The global packaged sunflower seeds market size was valued at USD 2.40 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.4% from 2025 to 2030. The growing demand for ready-to-eat foods and shifting preference toward healthy snacks have been fueling the market's growth. Such products are gaining traction among sportspeople, especially baseball players, as an alternative to chewing tobacco. Due to their high nutritional value, packaged sunflower seeds are expected to gain traction as a functional snack in the upcoming years.

The products are usually made with a non-oilseed variety of sunflowers with black and white stripes. These products are available to consumers as healthy snacks, either hulled or in-shell, in various sizes. Such packaged snacks are excellent sources of fat-soluble antioxidants, vitamin E, healthy fats, and fibers. A quarter-cup of these seeds contains 80% of the DRA of vitamin E, whose nutty texture and several health benefits make these seeds an attractive snack for health-conscious consumers. Ukraine, Russia, China, Romania, Argentina, Bulgaria, Tanzania, Turkey, and Hungary are the world's major sunflower seed-producing countries.

Packaged sunflower seeds are beneficial in promoting heart health, reducing inflammation, treating diabetes, slowing aging, preventing cancer, and decreasing cholesterol. The seeds' vitamin E content helps reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis and atherosclerosis. Furthermore, these seeds contain magnesium, which helps prevent migraines and headaches, reduce hypertension, relax nerves, and avoid muscle spasms. Additionally, vitamin B1 and electrolytes in the product help boost energy. The growing trend of a healthy diet and increasing awareness about the product's health benefits are expected to boost the market growth in the upcoming years.

Form Insights

The roasted packaged sunflower seeds segment dominated the global industry with a revenue share of 65.9% in 2024. The convenience offered by the product primarily influences this segment. It is highly preferred as a healthy snacking product by multiple urban consumers. The flavor profile provided by the products also allows consumers to add it to salads, trail mixes, and more. Increasing awareness regarding the role of dietary preferences in human health and the growing availability of information regarding benefits associated with the consumption of seeds and nuts are adding to the growth of this market.

The raw packaged sunflower seeds segment is anticipated to experience significant growth over the forecast period. Increasing demand from commercial buyers in bulk quantities is driving the development of this segment. Household customers also prefer buying raw seeds to stock and use them after roasting before snacking. Increasing inclination towards consuming plant-based protein and a growing number of individuals embracing trends such as veganism are projected to drive demand for this segment in the coming years.

Flavor Insights

The salted/flavored products segment dominated the market with the largest revenue share in 2024. Packaged sunflower seeds are available in plain as well as in different flavors, such as salty, ranch, sweet, pickle, spicy, jalapeno, salsa, barbeque, sour cream, cracked pepper, fusion, spicy queso, lemon, seasoned, chipotle, and honey mastered. Among these flavors, roasted and salted sunflower seeds are among the most popular snacks in the market. The extensive range of flavors has been attracting consumers, fueling the market's growth. Manufacturers have been introducing innovative flavors to expand their consumer base.

The plain/unflavored products segment is projected to experience noteworthy growth from 2025 to 2030. This segment is mainly influenced by an increased inclination towards high-protein diets, growing awareness regarding the benefits associated with seed consumption, and enhanced availability facilitated by online portals and quick commerce platforms. Consumers who prefer the original taste and flavor of the product are inclined towards buying unflavored seeds instead of products infused with a variety of flavors.

Distribution Channel Insights

The supermarkets & hypermarkets segment held the largest revenue share of the global packaged sunflower seeds industry in 2024. This segment is mainly influenced by increasing brand preferences as it ensures enhanced brand visibility and ease of availability and accessibility. Domestic or international supermarkets and hypermarket chains are the key distribution channels for products worldwide. These retail outlets attract consumers with their wide range of products and appealing offers and discounts. Walmart, Kroger, Tesco PLC, and Ahold are some of the world's key supermarket chains. In addition, local grocery stores, snack bars, and convenience stores account for a significant market share.

The online distribution segment is anticipated to experience the highest growth during the forecast period. The inclination among urban consumers to utilize quick commerce platforms, online grocery shopping platforms, and similar services primarily adds growth to this market. In recent years, the growing penetration of the e-commerce industry and the focus of retail companies on enhancing their digital footprint have increased global consumers' participation in online shopping experiences.

Regional Insights

Europe packaged sunflower seeds market dominated the global market with a revenue share of 29.6% in 2024. The product, especially in-shell seed, is prevalent street food in the Mediterranean and Eastern European countries. The consumers in the region often consume roasted products. However, consumer preferences for packaged sunflower seeds vary in different countries in the region. For instance, consumers in Spain mostly prefer salted, roasted, and in-shelled products. Furthermore, the growing demand for convenience foods and functional snacks in Western Europe is expected to boost the demand for packaged sunflower seeds in the upcoming years.

Germany Packaged Sunflower Seeds Market Trends

Germany held the largest revenue share of the regional industry in 2024. This market is primarily influenced by factors such as rising mindfulness regarding dietary regimes, a large number of individuals shifting to healthy snacking from traditional consumption, and accessibility to multiple products offered by global and domestic brands. Additionally, using seeds in salads, trail mixes, and other food servings has driven the demand.

North America Packaged Sunflower Seeds Market Trends

North America was identified as one of the key region of global packaged sunflower seeds industry in 2024. This market is also influenced by factors such as effective distribution accomplished by major market participants through large chains of supermarkets and hypermarkets, the increasing number of health-conscious customers, and ease of availability. The growing focus of multiple food product businesses on including or featuring healthy snacking items in a diversified product portfolio is expected to generate growth for this market in the coming years.

The U.S. packaged sunflower seeds market held the largest revenue share of the regional industry in 2024. Many customers seek convenient snacking food products and increasing availability facilitated by online portals and quick commerce or grocery delivery platforms operating in the country. The availability of various flavors in packaged sunflower seeds and rising consumption by young consumers owing to increased awareness regarding associated benefits also contribute to the growth of this market.

Asia Pacific Packaged Sunflower Seeds Market Trends

Asia Pacific packaged sunflower seeds market is expected to experience the fastest CAGR from 2025 to 2030. This market is primarily influenced by highly populated countries such as China and India. The growing demand from young consumers who seek convenient and healthy packaged food products and the increasing availability and accessibility facilitated by the growth of the online distribution and quick commerce industry are adding to its development.

China held the largest revenue share of the Asia Pacific packaged sunflower seeds industry in 2024. This market is driven by factors such as the product's traditional significance in the country, the large number of existing consumers, and the increasing focus of global brands on tapping unexplored markets in China. Additionally, a large share of China's exports of sunflower seeds is expected to fuel growth in the approaching years.

Key Packaged Sunflower Seeds Company Insights

Some of the key companies in the global packaged sunflower seeds market are Conagra Brands, Inc., The Kraft Heinz Company, Sincerely Nuts, Good Sense, and others. Global food product brands' growing participation in the market has driven the competition and stimulated multiple participants to embrace strategies such as portfolio expansions, geographic expansions, enhanced digital footprints, and more.

• Conagra Brands, Inc., a consumer packaged goods brand, operates a variety of brands, including Orville Redenbacher's, Birds Eye, Slim Jim, Gardein, Swiss Miss, Duncan Hines, and others. DAVID Seeds, a brand owned by Conagra, offers a range of products, including DAVID Sunflower Kernels, Reduced-Sodium Sunflower Seeds In-Shell, David's Dill Pickle Sunflower Seeds, David's Sweet and salty Sunflower Seeds, DAVID Sunflower Seeds Multi-Pack, and more.

• Sincerely Nuts, a food products company that offers nuts, seeds, dried fruits, candies, snacks, and more, features a variety of sunflower seeds in its portfolio. These include Sunflower Seed Kernels Raw, Sunflower Seeds Roasted and Salted (No Shell), Sunflower Seeds Roasted and Unsalted (No Shell), and Organic Sunflower Seeds (Raw, No Shell).

Recent Developments

• In November 2024, EHL Ingredients, one of the market participants in a variety of products such as herbs, spices, seasonings, blends, seeds, beans, and lentils, launched seed blend products specially developed for the bakery sector. These include Sunflower, poppy and sesame, Caraway, poppy and sesame, and others.

• In May 2024, Conagra Brands, Inc. expanded its product portfolio by adding various offerings through its numerous brands. This includes DAVID and BiGS Sunflower Seeds with Vlasic Spicy Dill Pickle flavor. The brand launched several products through Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024 by the National Confectioners Association.

Packaged Sunflower Seeds Market Report Scope

Global Packaged Sunflower Seeds Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, grand view research has segmented the global packaged sunflower seeds industry report based on form, flavor, distribution channel and region:

• Form Outlook (Revenue, USD Million,  2018 - 2030)

  • Raw

  • Roasted

• Flavor Outlook (Revenue, USD Million,  2018 - 2030)

  • Plain/Unflavored

  • Salted/Flavored

• Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million,  2018 - 2030)

  • Supermarkets & Hypermarkets

  • Convenience Stores

  • Online

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • Australia

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia