Market research

Castor oil and fractions market in Eastern Africa

$Castor oil and fractions market in Eastern Africa$

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the castor oil market in Eastern Africa reached 34 603 tons. The re-introduction of castor oil cultivation in Uganda, which required a core investor with a nucleus estate and an outgrowers’ programme, indicated state and private sector involvement aimed at boosting long-term production and export potential. The market volume then fell to 30 490 tons in 2019.

From 2020 to 2023, the market showed fluctuations: a slight increase to 30 701 tons in 2020, followed by 30 980 tons in 2021 and a rise to 31 742 tons in 2022, before declining to 30 089 tons in 2023.

By 2024, government initiatives in Kenya to strengthen the castor oil value chain through public-private partnerships, focusing on seed distribution and farmer training, were shaping the market landscape. This occurred alongside rising demand for bio-based and sustainable raw materials in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial sectors, as well as technological advancements in processing and the emergence of new product segments like organic castor oil for personal care.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production castor oil and fractions in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of castor oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of castor oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In Eastern Africa, castor oil and fractions production showed only minor changes from 2019 to 2020, with output reaching 30,558 tonnes in 2020. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.3%, averaging an annual decline of 2.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 30,431 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 34,668 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 12.2% decrease, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 at 4.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.1%	(12.2%)	0.4%	(2.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports castor oil and fractions from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable pattern over the observed period. Export volumes from Eastern Africa varied dramatically, with a 111-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2017. In 2020, exports totaled 15.3 tonnes, representing an 87.6% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 259.9 tonnes, with the most substantial increase that year reaching 10,976.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	10 976.8%	(52.4%)	(87.6%)	86.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand dominated the export market for castor oil and fractions from Eastern Africa, accounting for 87.1% of total exports in volume. The remaining exports were distributed among various smaller trading partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export values swung widely, with a 106-fold amplitude between the high in 2018 and the low in 2017. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported castor oil and fractions worth 61,000 US dollars, a 27.6% drop from the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1,348,000 US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 93.8% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 10,458.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	10 458.8%	(93.8%)	(27.6%)	68.3%

Source: SHEV.io

During the 2017–2020 period, castor oil and fractions exports from Eastern Africa were primarily directed to Thailand, which held a 90.0% share of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports castor oil and fractions to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Castor oil and fractions imports into Eastern Africa declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 158.5 tonnes, showing a notable decrease of 12.9% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 13.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.7%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 194.9 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 6.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.3%	(6.6%)	(12.9%)	(4.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, India was the primary source for castor oil and fractions imports into Eastern Africa, capturing 89.4% of total import volume. The rest was sourced from a diverse array of smaller countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Eastern Africa's castor oil and fractions imports declined in value. In 2020, imports totaled 394,000 US dollars, down by 30.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 24.4%, averaging an annual decline of 8.9%. The maximum import value was recorded in 2019 at 394,000 US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.9%	6.0%	(30.7%)	(8.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, India remained the leading destination for castor oil and fractions imports into Eastern Africa, accounting for 84.2% of total import value. The remaining imports were spread across other countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io