Chemically modified fats and oils market in Mauritius

Earlier Report Observations

The market for chemically modified fats and oils in Mauritius opened the period with a volume of 341 t in 2018, supported by competitive local production from major players like Ramdenee Edible Oil Products and Mauritius Oil Refineries. By 2019, the market size contracted to 289 t as improved purchasing power intensified competition between local and imported oils, with consumers showing a marked preference for healthier, polyunsaturated options. The market then stabilized around 276 t in 2020, demonstrating resilience despite the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on food security.

A significant shift occurred from 2022, when the abolition of customs duties on fats and oils under the EU economic partnership agreement lowered consumer prices. This policy change coincided with a market recovery to 269 t, driven by a surge in local production to 305 t and the emergence of exports. In 2023, the market volume expanded further to 347 t, even amid a global surge in edible oil prices caused by unfavorable weather in producing countries and higher freight costs. This was partly offset by the State Trading Corporation's intervention to sell subsidized oil, maintaining consumer access.

Production chemically modified fats and oils in Mauritius

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chemically modified fats and oils, 2017-2020

World map of production of chemically modified fats and oils, 2017-2020

In Mauritius, production of chemically modified fats and oils reached 269.4 t in 2020, marking a 5.3% decrease from 2019. Production hit its lowest point in 2018 at 233.3 t, while the peak was recorded in 2019 at 284.3 t. The most significant production decline occurred in 2018, falling by 13.6%, whereas the largest increase was seen in 2019, rising by 21.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Mauritius in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports chemically modified fats and oils from Mauritius

Market analysis reveals that Mauritius did not export any chemically modified fats and oils from 2017 through 2020.

Imports chemically modified fats and oils to Mauritius

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during this period. Imports bottomed out in 2019 at 4.7 t and peaked in 2018 at 107.8 t, with a 23-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports of foreign chemically modified fats and oils to Mauritius totaled 6.2 t, representing a 30.8% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 95.6%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2018, surging by 1 545.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain was the dominant supplier of chemically modified fats and oils to Mauritius in volume terms, accounting for 80.3% of total imports. Other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market displayed volatility over the observed years. Import volumes in value terms reached their lowest point in 2019 at 13 948 US dollars and peaked in 2018 at 62 841 US dollars, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 4.5 times. In 2020, the value of imported chemically modified fats and oils to Mauritius amounted to 17 337 US dollars, a 24.3% increase year-over-year. The largest decline was in 2019, falling by 77.8%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 219.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa, Spain, and France led as the top suppliers of chemically modified fats and oils to Mauritius in value terms. South Africa accounted for 40.1% of imports, Spain for 36.3%, and France for 13.5%, with their combined share reaching 89.9% of total import value.

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

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