Seed Review: Sheba is currently highest sunflower oil earner in Kenya
4 min read
By Lyzzie Owade
The most cost-effective sunflower seed in Kenya for producing oil, the H8998, is out-of-stock country-wide and long-term, due to production issues, but Kenya Shaba is delivering by far the highest yield per acre, at one of the lowest costs for seed per litre of oil.
Overall, Kenya Shaba is our top choice for farmers to get the highest returns in sunflower oil this season.
We give below, the prices, yields, and oil production for each seed, ranked by the lowest seed cost by litre of oil, and with a comparison table, below, on their productivity in oil per acre. All information has been sourced directly from the seed producers and sellers in May 2025.
On the basis of this information, Kenya Shaba appears as number 4 at seed cost per litre of oil, but will give farmers by far the highest income from oil sales for each acre.
We have also included one seed that is for animal feeds only:
- H8998
Seed producer: Simlaw Seeds /Kenya Seed Company
End use:Oil production, animal feeds
Yield per acre: 1,200kg
Time from seed to harvest: 120-125 days
Typical cost: Ranges from Sh350 to Sh500
Water needs / drought resilience : moderate water
Performance in pest resistance : Tolerant to lodging and stem breakage; general disease tolerance
Ideal soils and climate:pH 6.0–7.5; adaptable to semi-arid and mid-altitude areas
Where to buy: Currently out of stock, long-term, in Kenya
- Hysun33
Seed producer: Advanta seed company
End use: Oil production
Yield per acre: 800-1200 kg
Oil content: 45-48%
Time from seed to harvest :105-115 days
Price:
Agroduka-2,300/= for 1kg
Jumia- 4,500/= 1kg
Water needs / drought resilience : Moderate
Performance in pest resistance :Highest pest resistant
Ideal soils and climate: Good for sandy loam to clays with pH value ranging from 6 to 7.5
Where to buy:
from the Advanta seed Company or from specific agrovets, for example, in CoastProvince – Pharmacare, Mombasa, Newcoast Farmers, Malindi, and Shifa Chemist. In Siaya, Avepo Agrovet.
Online from Agroduka on 0712723830 or using this page link https://agroduka.com/hysun-33-sunflower?srsltid=AfmBOoq7yEVQwRTC31UXojWmjCwNQdbMs4jyiIYmfnObtAFLeEiDoWfP
Online from Jumia using this page link
- Kenya Fedha
Seed producer: Simlaw seed and Kenya Seed Company
End use: oil extraction and animal feed by product
Yield per acre: 1200kg
Time from seed to harvest: 130-135 days
Price
Simlaw seeds 485/= for 1kg
Agroduka 551/= for 1kg
Water needs / drought resilience :500-750mm
Oil content: 30%
Performance in pest resistance :Moderate field resistance
Ideal soils and climate: ph 6.0–7.5; thrives in medium to high altitudes
How to get:
Agro duka an online shop sells through agroduka.com
Order online on this link https://www.simlaw.co.ke/product-details/216/71
Kenya Seeds Company through an agent 0700863499, such as Lamu Fashion Agrovet,
Simlaw Seeds, Kijabe street, Nairobi, or in Coast Province: Pharmacare, or Shifa Chemist
- Kenya Shaba
Seed producer: Kenya Seeds company
End use: Oil production
Yield per acre: 1,000kg
Time from seed to harvest:130-135 days
Price:
Simlaw Sh551 for 1kg
Oil content: 39%
Water needs / drought resilience: moderate
Ideal soils and climate: medium to high altitudes; pH 6.0–7.5
Where to buy:
Online from Simlaw on this link https://www.simlaw.co.ke/product-details/216/71 to make an order
Kenya Seeds Company through an agent 0700863499, such as Lamu Fashion Agrovet,
Simlaw Seeds, Kijabe street, Nairobi, or in Coast Province: Pharmacare, or Shifa Chemist
For animal feed only
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Seed name: Hungarian White
Seed producer: Kenya Seed Company
End use: Animal feed
Yield per acre: 1,200 -1,300kg
Time from seed to harvest : 80-120 days
Typical cost:
- Agroduka 500/= 1kg
- Simlaw 441/= 1kg
- Jumia 1,500/= for 4kg
Water needs: 600-1000mm per season
Drought resilience: moderate
Performance in pest resistance: moderate
Ideal soils and climate: well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.5
Where to buy:
Agroduka, on this link https://agroduka.com/hungarian-white-seed-4kg or whatsapp 0712723830
Kenya Seeds Company through an agent 0700863499, such as Lamu Fashion Agrovet,
Simlaw Seeds, Kijabe street, Nairobi, or in Coast Province: Pharmacare, or Shifa Chemist
Jumia, on this link https://www.jumia.co.ke/generic-hungarian-white-sunflower-seed-253233900.html?srsltid=AfmBOorCcSl62PiNY8izHKDm_23mDXRc6FQWXqJPy51GB1Rt_zbb6aXp
Best sunflower seed for oil
| Seed Name | Oil Output (L/acre) | Seed Cost (Sh) | Cost per Litre | Notes |
| Hysun33 | 396 – 634 | Sh4,600 | Sh11.6 – 7.3 | Highest oil content & pest resistance |
| Kenya Fedha | 396 | Sh485 | Sh1.22 | Very low input cost; moderate oil content |
| H8998 | 396 | Sh350 | Sh0.88 | Cheapest per litre; currently out of stock |
| Kenya Shaba | 429 | Sh551 | Sh1.28 | Balanced: good yield & low cost |
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