Coconut oilcake market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

At the start of the period, rising coconut production in Ivory Coast and national targets to boost local processing laid a foundation for coconut oilcake output. However, the market faced growing competition from Asian copra oil producers and a shift in consumer preferences toward natural foods, which began to influence production methods and demand. The development of improved extraction technologies and the emerging use of oilcake as an energy-rich animal feed ingredient represented positive trends, but these were insufficient to reverse the initial downward trajectory in market volume.

From 2021, a significant increase in demand for coconut water products reduced the availability of copra for oil and oilcake extraction, directly contributing to the decline in production. This was compounded by global price volatility for coconut and copra oils, affecting investment and market dynamics. In 2022, a major push for local raw material processing in Ivory Coast, supported by policy, led to a 60% increase in the volume of treated feedstock. Yet, supply chain challenges and the continued diversion of raw materials to other uses meant the total coconut oilcake market volume continued to contract, despite a temporary surge in imports that year.

By 2023, the market showed signs of stabilization, with domestic production recovering slightly to 19,723 t and the overall market volume reaching 19,785 t. This followed a period of active regional supplier search and market structuring, indicating a consolidation phase. The subsequent reduction in imports to 50 t by 2024 suggests a market adjusting to a new balance between local production and regional trade flows.

Production coconut oilcake in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coconut oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconut oilcake, 2017-2020

Western Africa's coconut oilcake production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 22 327 tonnes of coconut oilcake, representing a slight year-over-year decrease of 2.3%. Production peaked in 2018 at 23 625 tonnes, which was a 4.3% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 3.3%.

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

Exports coconut oilcake from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Export volumes varied dramatically, with a 9.5-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, Western Africa exported 124 tonnes of coconut oilcake, a sharp decrease of 59.7% compared to the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 308 tonnes, which represented a massive 264.0% increase from 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Turkey, and Australia were the main markets for Western Africa's coconut oilcake exports in volume terms. China accounted for 31.7% of exports, Turkey for 29.2%, and Australia for 11.3%. Together, these three countries represented 72.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values showed a 3.6-fold variation between the trough in 2018 and the peak in 2019. In 2020, Western Africa's coconut oilcake exports were valued at 35.2 thousand US dollars, a reduction of 37.5% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 15.6 thousand US dollars, which marked a 56.9% decline from the previous year. The maximum value occurred in 2019 at 56.4 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial 261.4% increase from 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Turkey, and Australia played the leading roles in the value of coconut oilcake exports from Western Africa. China accounted for 36.1% of export value, Turkey for 20.0%, and Australia for 15.3%. Collectively, these three markets represented 71.5% of total export flows in value terms.

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

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

Imports coconut oilcake to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. There was a 2.9-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Western Africa imported approximately 208 tonnes of coconut oilcake, marking a substantial year-over-year increase of 167.8%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 72 tonnes, which represented a 38.7% decline from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Indonesia and China were the leading suppliers of coconut oilcake to Western Africa in volume terms, together accounting for 3.6% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values varied by 4.2 times between the low in 2017 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Western Africa imported coconut oilcake worth a total of {value_last_year} thousand US dollars, showing a steep gain of 152.5% over the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 45.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, rising by 205.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—Indonesia and China—were the primary sources for coconut oilcake imports to Western Africa in value terms, with a combined share of 71.1% of total flows.

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

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