Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormRefined (Edible Vegetable Oil)
Industry PositionFood Ingredient (Edible Oil)
Market
Sunflower oil in Thailand is an import-dependent edible oil category, with 2023 imports concentrated in refined sunflower/safflower oil (HS 151219) and smaller volumes of crude oil (HS 151211). In 2023 Thailand imported US$36.74 million (21,378,000 kg) of HS 151219 and US$3.12 million (2,299,670 kg) of HS 151211, indicating reliance on overseas supply for this oil type. Malaysia and Turkey were the two largest reported suppliers for Thailand’s HS 151219 imports in 2023, followed by China, Ukraine, and Spain. Market access and compliance are governed under Thailand’s Food Act and implementing Ministry of Public Health notifications administered by the Thai FDA, while supply risk is driven by global sunflower oil availability and logistics disruptions affecting import costs and continuity.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (net importer)
Domestic RolePrimarily consumed domestically as an edible vegetable oil; domestic production is not a major supply source in UN Comtrade HS 1512 import patterns.
SeasonalityNon-seasonal consumer availability in Thailand is primarily determined by import scheduling, global supply conditions, and freight/logistics reliability rather than domestic harvest cycles.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Refined sunflower/safflower oil imports (HS 151219) are the predominant form entering Thailand in 2023, consistent with consumer-ready or industrial-ready edible oil specifications.
Compositional Metrics- Thai import specifications commonly reference edible vegetable oil quality parameters aligned to international practice (e.g., free fatty acids, peroxide value, moisture/volatile matter, insoluble impurities) and identity characteristics consistent with Codex CXS 210-1999 for named vegetable oils.
Grades- Trade-relevant grade split for Thailand: crude oil (HS 151211) versus other-than-crude/refined oil (HS 151219) as reported in UN Comtrade/WITS.
Packaging- Thailand inbound shipments may arrive as bulk liquid (for industrial handling) or as packaged refined oil; the dominant HS 151219 import profile supports market prevalence of refined oils suitable for direct distribution after import clearance.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Overseas crushing/refining (origin) → sea freight shipment → Thailand port receipt → tank storage/quality release → (optional) local repack/bottling → domestic distribution to retail/foodservice/manufacturing
Temperature- Thailand import and storage handling prioritizes protection from excessive heat and light to limit oxidation and rancidity risk during distribution.
Shelf Life- Shelf-life in Thailand distribution is sensitive to oxidation (peroxide formation) and handling/storage conditions; importer COA checks and stock rotation help manage quality.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Geopolitical And Price Volatility HighThailand’s sunflower oil supply is import-dependent and exposed to global sunflower oil price shocks and export/logistics disruptions in major sunflower oil exporting regions; abrupt changes can severely disrupt landed cost and availability for Thailand buyers.Diversify approved origins (regional traders plus non-Black-Sea sources where feasible), lock in forward coverage for key volumes, and pre-qualify substitute edible oils for critical applications to reduce single-origin exposure.
Logistics MediumSea-freight disruption or container/bulk space tightness can delay arrivals into Thailand and increase CIF costs, affecting refined-oil availability (HS 151219) and crude-oil inflows (HS 151211).Use multi-carrier routing options, maintain safety stock for key SKUs, and contract flexible shipment formats (bulk vs packaged) where possible.
Regulatory Compliance MediumNon-compliance with Thai FDA food law requirements (e.g., labeling and additive/quality conformity under Ministry of Public Health notifications) can cause import delays, relabeling costs, or clearance holds.Run pre-shipment label/legal review against current Thai FDA notifications, keep COA/spec sheets aligned to Codex-based identity parameters, and maintain a Thai importer compliance checklist for HS 1512 edible oils.
Sustainability- Origin traceability and sustainability claims management for imported sunflower oil sold in Thailand (e.g., non-GMO, high-oleic, sustainable sourcing) to avoid mislabeling and buyer audit issues.
FAQ
Which HS codes are commonly used to track Thailand’s sunflower oil imports?UN Comtrade data accessed via the World Bank WITS portal commonly reports Thailand’s sunflower/safflower oil imports under HS 151219 (sunflower-seed and safflower oil, excluding crude) and HS 151211 (crude sunflower-seed and safflower oil).
Who were Thailand’s main suppliers of refined sunflower/safflower oil in 2023?In 2023 (HS 151219, excluding crude), the largest reported suppliers to Thailand were Malaysia and Turkey, followed by China, Ukraine, and Spain, based on UN Comtrade data shown in the World Bank WITS portal.
Which Thai authority governs imported sunflower oil sold as food?Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (Ministry of Public Health) administers the Food Act B.E. 2522 (1979) and related Ministry of Public Health notifications that set requirements relevant to imported food products such as edible vegetable oils.