（Singapore，Feb 6, 2025）Once a region hindered by unfertile land, Bayannur in northern China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has transformed into a global powerhouse for sunflower seed production, exporting to over 40 countries.
Leading the charge is 57-year-old Wang Fei, a local entrepreneur hailed as the “King of Sunflower Seeds.” From humble beginnings as a small-scale farmer, Wang has built a thriving agricultural enterprise, tapping into the booming demand for sunflower seeds in markets spanning South Korea, Egypt, and Germany.
Turning Harsh Land into Fertile Opportunity
Bayannur, home to 1.5 million residents, was once plagued by 320,000 hectares of saline-alkali soil that stifled traditional crops like wheat and corn. In the 1970s, local farmers turned to sunflowers, a hardy and drought-resistant crop that flourishes in challenging conditions.
By 2024, Bayannur had dedicated 4.4 million mu (293,000 hectares) to sunflower cultivation, accounting for nearly half of China’s total sunflower production. In that year alone, the region produced more than 940,000 tonnes of sunflowers, solidifying its status as China’s largest edible sunflower base.
Vice Mayor Zhang Ruhong attributes the industry’s success to Bayannur’s ideal climate—long sunshine hours, distinct seasons, and abundant water resources—conditions similar to the sunflower’s native habitat in North America.
From Farming to Global Trade
The local sunflower industry has evolved into a comprehensive value chain, encompassing seed cultivation, processing, exports, e-commerce, and even agritourism. Sunflower seeds, the world’s fourth-largest oilseed crop after soybeans, rapeseed, and peanuts, have gained prominence as a specialty product in China’s northern regions.
With the global sunflower seed market valued at $32.3 billion in 2023 and projected to grow at a 9.4% compound annual growth rate through 2032, Bayannur has capitalized on rising international demand.
Local agricultural scientists have played a key role in advancing production by introducing high-quality seed varieties such as SH361 and SH363, as well as a resilient strain designed to combat broomrape, a parasitic plant that has long threatened sunflower crops worldwide.
Scaling Up for Global Markets
In the lead-up to China’s Spring Festival, Bayannur’s factories operated at full capacity, processing and sorting sunflower seeds for international orders.
“We were extremely busy fulfilling shipments before the holiday,” said Zhao Lei, general manager of Bayannur Rong Da Co., Ltd. “Our sunflower seed exports reached 35,000 tonnes last year, with strong demand from overseas markets.”
Wang Fei, who entered the sunflower trade in 1987 and expanded to international markets in 2012, has seen his company, Mintai Agricultural Trading Co., Ltd., achieve remarkable growth. In 2024, the company generated revenues exceeding 700 million yuan ($97.6 million), with exports making up the bulk of sales.
“Sunflower seeds are a festival favorite in China, and we’ve found that people abroad share this habit,” Wang noted. “Christmas and other holidays drive our peak export seasons.”
Bayannur’s sunflower exports generate an annual revenue of 4.2 billion yuan ($585 million), accounting for 64% of the city’s total agricultural exports.
Navigating Global Trade Challenges
Government support has played a crucial role in boosting the industry’s expansion. In the past two years, Bayannur has implemented strategies to enhance exports, including developing overseas warehouses, promoting cross-border e-commerce, and streamlining customs clearance processes.
Rising shipping costs, compounded by geopolitical challenges such as the Red Sea crisis, have forced exporters to adapt. To mitigate expenses, Wang has increasingly relied on China-Europe freight trains to transport sunflower seeds to European markets, significantly reducing logistics costs.
Looking ahead, Wang has his sights set on expanding into Spain, further cementing Bayannur’s status as a global leader in sunflower seed production.
“The world loves sunflower seeds, and we’re just getting started,” he said with a smile.
