Market research

Coconut oil and fractions market in Eastern Africa

$Coconut oil and fractions market in Eastern Africa$

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

Between 2018 and 2023, the coconut oil market in Eastern Africa experienced notable fluctuations. Production initially grew to 54 288 t in 2019 but then declined over the next four years to 48 469 t by 2023. This was mirrored by a contraction in overall market volume, which fell from 56 150 t to 51 402 t over the same period.

A key development occurred in 2021 when a sharp decline in tourism in Kenya prompted some operators to enter the coconut oil sector as an alternative income source, contributing to a production increase that year. This influx of new players coincided with a more than six-fold surge in exports, which reached 4 273 t, redirecting a significant portion of the increased output away from the domestic market.

By 2024, the market was influenced by changing consumer preferences towards organic, cold-pressed, and virgin coconut oils, with local producers like Cocopure emphasizing these attributes. This shift was accompanied by a further rise in exports to 3 754 t and a corresponding drop in imports to 3 878 t, indicating a continued reorientation of the market structure towards local production and external sales.

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 coconut oil and fractions in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coconut oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Eastern Africa's production of coconut oil and fractions saw a two-year rise before declining. In 2020, the region produced 50,934 tonnes, marking a gradual decrease of 6.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 54,288 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 2.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.2%	1.7%	(6.2%)	(0.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports coconut oil and fractions from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Coconut oil and fractions exports from Eastern Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 598 tonnes, representing a dramatic decline of 45.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 62.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 28.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(23.7%)	(10.3%)	(45.5%)	(28.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Switzerland, and Eswatini consistently remained the main destinations for exports in kind. South Africa accounted for 59.9% of exports, Switzerland for 19.2%, and Eswatini for 2.1%, together making up 81.2% of total flows.

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

Eastern Africa's coconut oil and fractions export volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported $725,000 worth of coconut oil and fractions, reflecting a loss of 39.1% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 70.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 33.4%.

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	(2.4%)	(50.3%)	(39.1%)	(33.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for exports in value terms were South Africa, Switzerland, and Oman, together accounting for 68.1% of total flows.

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 coconut oil and fractions to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.1-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Eastern Africa imported 3,062 tonnes of coconut oil and fractions, amounting to an abrupt increase of 28.8% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 3,993 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 40.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 105.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	105.9%	(40.4%)	28.8%	16.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the three main markets for imports in kind of coconut oil and fractions to Eastern Africa were Malaysia, Indonesia, and India, together absorbing 77.9% of total imports.

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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports were at their lowest in 2019 and highest in 2018, reflecting a 2-fold gap. In 2020, Eastern Africa imported a total of $3,447,000 worth of coconut oil and fractions, corresponding to an intense increase of 31.9% compared with 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at $2,614,000, while the maximum was in 2018 at $5,236,000. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 50.1%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 78.4%.

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	78.4%	(50.1%)	31.9%	5.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Malaysia, Indonesia, and South Africa remained the main markets for imports in value terms of coconut oil and fractions to Eastern Africa. Malaysia accounted for 56.0% of imports, Indonesia for 11.0%, and South Africa for 6.3%, jointly taking 73.3% of total flows.

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