Coconut oilcake market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The African coconut oilcake market saw a steady contraction in volume from about 58 653 т in 2018 to 47 686 т in 2023, as both production and overall market size declined throughout the period.

In 2021, the market volume stabilized near 51 048 т with a drop of less than 2%. This coincided with Ghana’s 249% jump in desiccated coconut exports, which signaled a reorientation of coconut processing toward higher‑value products rather than oilcake, limiting further decline that year.

By 2024, new dynamics appeared across the region. Ghana rolled out a large‑scale coconut agricultural transformation program, distributing millions of elite seedlings to expand cultivation. In Kenya, government policies actively promoted local edible oil production to cut imports, while new entrepreneurs entered with cold‑press extraction for coconut oil and feed. Consumer preferences also shifted toward organic and virgin coconut oil products.

Production coconut oilcake in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coconut oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconut oilcake, 2017-2020

Africa's coconut oilcake production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the continent produced 51 858 tonnes, representing a year-on-year decrease of 9.6%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 58 601 tonnes, when output increased by 3.7%.

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

Exports coconut oilcake from Africa

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes varied significantly, with a 4.8-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the peak in 2019. In 2020, Africa's coconut oilcake exports stood at 389 tonnes, marking a substantial decline of 21.0% compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 493 tonnes, which saw an increase of 138.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Turkey, and Australia were the largest buyers of coconut oilcake from Africa, accounting for 3.3%, 3.0%, and 1.2% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three markets made up 7.5% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Coconut oilcake export values from Africa have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 412.1 thousand US dollars, which is 27.8% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export values rose by 220.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 47.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three main markets—China, Turkey, and Australia—collectively accounted for 9.3% of the total export value of coconut oilcake from Africa.

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

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

Imports coconut oilcake to Africa

Imports in kind, t

Imported coconut oilcake volumes in Africa have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 575 tonnes, showing a sharp increase of 42.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 59%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 259 tonnes, which saw a decline of 28.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 55.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia were the principal suppliers of coconut oilcake to Africa, accounting for 3.3%, 2.4%, and 1.6% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 7.2% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Import values reached their lowest point in 2018 at 330.0 thousand US dollars, which saw a decline of 3.2%, and peaked in 2020 at 893.5 thousand US dollars, marking an increase of 58.3% compared to 2019. The difference between the peak and trough was 2.7 times. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 71.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea consistently held leading positions in the import structure by value, accounting for 30.4%, 16.6%, and 6.6% of imports in value terms, respectively. Together, these three suppliers made up 53.7% of total import flows.

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

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