Coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions market in Eastern Africa, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions in Eastern Africa declined from 93 822 t in 2018 to 79 865 t in 2020, primarily due to a sharp contraction in imports. During this period, small-scale oil palm cultivation faced economic challenges in regions like Kigoma, limiting domestic output growth. In 2019, a symbolic demonstration of government support occurred when Prime Minister Hon. Kassim Majaliwa planted an oil palm tree, highlighting official interest in sector development.

Market volume stabilized near 80 033 t in 2021, a year when the Forestry and Beekeeping Division issued technical orders aimed at improving quality and productivity in related agricultural sectors, including oil palm. By 2022, volume fell to 75 960 t as import levels remained subdued. That same year, the government published an implementation strategy specifically targeting the expansion of palm oil and edible oil production plant capacity, reflecting a policy focus on reducing import dependency.

A recovery to 80 389 t occurred in 2023, driven largely by a renewed surge in imports. Moving into 2024, entrepreneurial initiatives emerged to convert palm oil waste into biogas and alternative charcoal, showcasing innovation in by-product utilization. Concurrent research emphasized the role of palm oil production in poverty reduction among smallholder farmers, though sector analyses continued to cite inadequate investment as a constraint on meeting local demand.

Production coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions in Eastern Africa

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

After two years of growth, production of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions in Eastern Africa declined. In 2019, production reached its peak at 62 186 tonnes, but by 2020, it had fallen to 57 992 tonnes, marking a moderate decrease of 6.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production dropped by 3.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.1%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 1.8%.

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

Exports coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Exports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions from Eastern Africa declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, export volumes stood at 716 tonnes, down by 49.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 63.6%, averaging an annual decrease of 28.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa, Switzerland, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were the top buyers of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions from Eastern Africa. South Africa accounted for 50.8% of exports in kind, Switzerland for 15.3%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 4.5%. Together, these three countries represented 70.6% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Exports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions from Eastern Africa in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value totaled 861 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 41.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports dropped by 71.9%, with an average annual decline of 34.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Switzerland, and Oman were the leading buyers of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions from Eastern Africa in value terms. South Africa made up 35.6% of exports, Switzerland 14.4%, and Oman 8.1%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 58.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Eastern Africa imported 22 600 tonnes of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions, representing a 4.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 2.3%, averaging an annual decline of 0.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 21 654 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 34 209 tonnes. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 36.7%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 47.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Indonesia dominated imports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions into Eastern Africa, accounting for 71.1% of total imports in kind. The remaining imports were spread across a diverse group of smaller countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Eastern Africa imported coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions worth 19 834 thousand US dollars, an increase of 18.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms fell by 33.1%, with an average annual decrease of 12.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 16 694 thousand US dollars, and the highest in 2018 at 33 107 thousand US dollars. The largest year-on-year decline was in 2019, with a drop of 49.6%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Indonesia and Malaysia were the primary sources for imports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions into Eastern Africa in value terms. Together, they accounted for 88.0% of total import value, while other partners played a minor role.

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

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