Coconut oilcake market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The coconut oilcake market in Sub-Saharan Africa contracted steadily between 2018 and 2023, with total market volume declining from 58 653 tons to 47 646 tons. This represented a nearly 19% reduction over the period, indicating a sustained downward trend in availability.

The primary driver of this decline was a structural constraint on raw material supply. Aging coconut plantations, slow replanting, and competition for coconuts from higher-value products like virgin coconut oil and coconut milk severely limited copra availability for oilcake production. Global supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures from 2022 onward further exacerbated these supply challenges, curtailing overall market volume.

Despite the contraction in oilcake, the broader African coconut oil market continued to expand, supported by urban health trends that boosted demand for coconut oil. In 2024, the entry of new players was marked by Bunge Limited forming a joint venture in Nigeria for biodiesel production, reflecting sustained investment in the region's oilseed processing sector which may influence future residue markets.

Production coconut oilcake in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coconut oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconut oilcake, 2017-2020

Sub-Saharan Africa's coconut oilcake production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 51 858 tonnes, marking a modest 9.6% decrease from the previous year. 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, with that year also seeing the largest increase of 3.7%.

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

Exports coconut oilcake from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with the peak being 4.8 times higher than the low. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa exported 389 tonnes of coconut oilcake, which is 21.0% lower than in 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 493 tonnes, with that year also experiencing the largest increase of 138.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for coconut oilcake exports in kind were China, Turkey, and Australia. China accounted for 3.3% of exports, Turkey for 3.0%, and Australia for 1.2%. Together, these three countries made up 7.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Coconut oilcake exports from Sub-Saharan Africa increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 412.1 thousand US dollars, a 27.8% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 220.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 47.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Turkey, and Australia were the top contributors to export value. China accounted for 4.7% of exports in value terms, Turkey for 2.6%, and Australia for 2.0%. Collectively, these three markets represented 9.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports coconut oilcake to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

Sub-Saharan Africa's coconut oilcake imports rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region imported 394 tonnes, showing a sharp increase of 31.5% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 20.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 259 tonnes, and that year also saw the largest decline of 20.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary sources for coconut oilcake imports in kind were Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. Papua New Guinea accounted for 2.4% of imports, Indonesia for 1.6%, and Sri Lanka for 1.3%. Together, these three countries represented 5.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign coconut oilcake supplies to Sub-Saharan Africa increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 677.5 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant 50.0% jump from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 141.6%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 34.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for imports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Indonesia accounted for 20.4% of imports, Sri Lanka for 14.8%, and Papua New Guinea for 8.1%. These three countries together made up 43.3% of total flows, with many other countries accounting for the remaining 56.7%.

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

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