Sunflower Seed

Sunflower Seeds are the seeds of Helianthus annuus, the tall, bright sunflower that turns its young head towards the sun. They are grown both for oil and for eating, and are sold in-shell as a roasted snack, as hulled kernels for bakery and snacks, and as bird and animal feed.

Arizone International supplies Sunflower Seeds and sunflower kernels in bulk for snack manufacturers, bakeries, oil mills, bird feed producers, wholesalers and exporters.

Two Main Types

• Oilseed (Black) Sunflower SeedsSmall seeds with thin, solid black shells and high oil content, typically around 40% or more. Most are crushed for sunflower oil, and they are also popular in bird feed.
• Confectionery (Striped) Sunflower SeedsLarger seeds with grey-and-white striped shells and a lower oil content. They are roasted and salted as an in-shell snack or hulled for kernels.

Ukraine and Russia are the world's largest sunflower producers. In India, sunflower is grown mainly in Karnataka, with additional production in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and other states.

A Snack Culture

In many countries, cracking roasted sunflower seeds between the teeth is a social habit. In Eastern Europe, the Middle East and China, people share bags of seeds while talking or watching sport, and in the United States sunflower seeds are a traditional baseball dugout snack. Hulled kernels are also widely used in multigrain breads, granola and trail mixes.

What Sunflower Kernels Contain

• Healthy fats, mainly linoleic or oleic acid depending on variety
• Protein, around 20%
• Vitamin E, for which sunflower kernels are one of the richest food sources
• Minerals such as magnesium, selenium, copper and zinc
• Fibre and phytosterols

Applications

• Roasted and salted in-shell snacks
• Kernels for multigrain bread, rolls and crackers
• Granola, cereals, bars and trail mixes
• Sunflower seed butter, a nut-free spread
• Oil pressing for sunflower oil
• Bird feed and pet food
• Sprouting and microgreens

Quality Parameters

• Seed type, size and count per 50 g
• Purity, broken seeds and foreign matter
• Moisture and oil content
• Salmonella, aflatoxins and pesticide residues
• Cadmium, as sunflowers can take up cadmium from soil
• Rancidity and taste for kernels

Packaging and Storage

In-shell seeds are packed in PP bags, while kernels are packed in food-grade vacuum or nitrogen-flushed bags in cartons, as their oil can turn rancid. Store in a cool, dry place away from pests.

For bird feed, black oilseed sunflower is especially popular because its thin shell is easy for small birds to crack and its high oil content provides energy.

Tips for Buyers and Formulators

Choose striped confectionery seeds for snacks and in-shell sales, hulled kernels for bakery and trail mix, and black oilseed for crushing. Kernel size and broken percentage are the main quality points.

Store seeds and kernels cool and dry to prevent rancidity.

Why Choose Arizone International?

We are an India-based supplier and exporter of seeds and food ingredients. We supply Sunflower Seeds and kernels graded to your specification, with test reports and full export documentation, including phytosanitary certificates.

Share your seed type, grade, quantity and destination to receive a quotation for Sunflower Seeds.