Coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Earlier Report Observations

The market for coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil in the Democratic Republic of the Congo saw steady growth from 2 061 t in 2018 to 2 196 t in 2020. This period was underpinned by the established presence of Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC), the country's largest producer of crude palm and palm kernel oil, operating in regions with soils favorable for oil palm cultivation, which provided a stable production base.

A transformative expansion occurred in 2021, with market volume surging to 12 384 t. This leap was directly driven by PHC's 12% increase in palm oil production and its heightened output of palm kernel oil, supported by a new management regime emphasizing financial transparency and operational efficiency. Growth continued into 2022, reaching 14 131 t, as PHC focused on maximizing production amid rising local prices fueled by product scarcity and strong demand, while also forging cooperation with the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) to develop a sustainable and competitive industry framework.

The market volume further increased to 16 576 t in 2023, sustained by PHC's active participation in international palm oil forums and its ongoing modernization of facilities towards sustainable agricultural practices. By 2024, industry dynamics indicated that local production capacity remained insufficient to meet domestic demand, with PHC setting ambitious targets to significantly scale up its output in the near future.

Production coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions in Democratic Republic of the Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, 2017-2020

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Production reached its lowest point in 2018, then peaked in 2017, with a 5.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Democratic Republic of the Congo produced 2 169 tons of coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, representing a 3.6% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum production volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 053 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 80.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exports in kind, kg

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the United States accounted for nearly all exports in kind of coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions from Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a share of 99.8% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, $ US

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, $ US

During the 2017–2020 period, the United States clearly dominated as the primary buyer of coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions from Democratic Republic of the Congo, accounting for 99.4% of total exports in value terms.

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

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Imports coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, kg

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 6-fold difference between the low of 2018 and the high of 2019. In 2020, Democratic Republic of the Congo imported a total of 26 634 kg of coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, marking a sharp decline of 51.8% from the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 187 kg, while the maximum was in 2019 at 55 287 kg. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 54.9%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 501.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (30.0% of imports in kind), Belgium (27.4% of imports in kind), and Côte d'Ivoire (13.6% of imports in kind) led the structure of imports in kind, together representing 71.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018, then reached their maximum in 2019, with a fluctuation of 4.6 times between these years. In 2020, coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions volumes in Democratic Republic of the Congo reached 15 549 US dollars, down by 75.0% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 13 616 US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 62 303 US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 357.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (32.5% of imports in value terms), France (19.0% of imports in value terms), and Côte d'Ivoire (13.1% of imports in value terms) were the largest suppliers of coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions to Democratic Republic of the Congo, together forming 64.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020