Castor oil and fractions market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

Morocco's castor oil market volume showed significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2022, starting at 189.8 t before dropping to 150.0 t in 2019. It recovered to 175.8 t in 2020 and grew to 183.9 t in 2021, supported by rising global demand for natural and bio-based products, especially in pharmaceutical and personal care applications, which boosted consumption.

The market peaked at 200.3 t in 2022, influenced by Morocco's heavy reliance on vegetable oil imports and higher global prices due to geopolitical tensions and biofuel demand. After contracting to 174.1 t in 2023, import activity slowed in 2024 amid a surge in new business formations, including potential entrants to the vegetable oil sector, and the impact of adverse climate conditions and stringent labeling and safety regulations on supply chains.

Production castor oil and fractions in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Between 2017 and 2020, Morocco ranked as the 20th largest producer of castor oil and fractions globally, establishing itself among the world's leading producers during this period.

Top producers of castor oil and fractions, 2017-2020

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

Morocco's production of castor oil and fractions saw growth over two years before declining. In 2020, production reached 66 900 kg, marking a 1.6% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production increased by 16.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.1%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 67 960 kg, with the largest year-over-year increase of 15.0% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Morocco in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Exports castor oil and fractions from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of castor oil and fractions from Morocco showed significant volatility during the observed period. In 2020, exports totaled 0.2 tonnes, representing a substantial increase of 327.6% from the previous year. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.6 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 90.7%. The most significant increase happened in 2018, soaring by 1 965.8%. The fluctuation between 2017 and 2018 was particularly dramatic, with a 21-fold difference between the lowest and highest points.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire and Algeria were the dominant markets for Morocco's castor oil and fractions exports in volume terms, together accounting for 85.4% of total exports, while other countries made up the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Morocco's castor oil and fractions exports displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. In 2020, export value reached 2.0 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 156.6% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, with exports peaking in 2020, resulting in an 11.4-fold difference between these years. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 53.9% decrease, while the most significant increase was in 2018, rising by 859.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Algeria, Côte d'Ivoire, and France were the main destinations for Morocco's castor oil and fractions exports in value terms. Algeria accounted for 36.0% of export value, Côte d'Ivoire for 34.8%, and France for 11.2%, together representing 81.9% of total export value during this period.

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

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

Imports castor oil and fractions to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

Morocco's imports of castor oil and fractions decreased over two years before increasing. In 2020, imports amounted to 109.1 tonnes, rising by 33.0% year-over-year. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall imports decreased by 19.7%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 7.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 82.1 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 37.5% that year.

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

During 2017–2020, India and Spain formed the dominant pair of source markets for Morocco's castor oil and fractions imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 88.9% of total imports, with other countries representing the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Morocco's import value for castor oil and fractions declined for two years before increasing. In 2020, imports reached 202.2 thousand US dollars, constituting a 23.1% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import value decreased by 29.6%, with an average annual decline of 11.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 164.3 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 32.5% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India and Spain were the dominant sources for Morocco's castor oil and fractions imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 87.1% of total import value, leaving the remaining share to other markets.

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

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