Corn oil and fractions market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Corn oil production in Eastern Africa showed a clear growth trend from 2018 to 2022, rising from 78.1 thousand tonnes to a peak of 102.5 thousand tonnes, with market size increasing to 104.4 thousand tonnes. This expansion occurred alongside a steady decline in imports, indicating a strengthening domestic supply chain.

The significant rise in production was closely linked to substantial increases in maize output in the region, particularly in Kenya. Government initiatives, including the distribution of subsidized fertilizer and the promotion of improved seed varieties, boosted corn harvests, providing ample raw material for oil processing. However, production moderated slightly in 2023 to 98.1 thousand tonnes as heightened competition for maize from the flour milling sector and government price stabilization measures influenced the allocation of raw materials.

The market continued its trajectory toward greater self-sufficiency, with corn oil imports falling to 1.9 thousand tonnes in 2024. Consumer preferences and industry standards evolved, with a focus on fortified edible oils maintaining demand for quality products, while challenges such as pest pressures and the pace of adopting new agricultural technologies continued to shape production potential.

Production corn oil and fractions in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of corn oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of corn oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Eastern Africa's corn oil and fractions production has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 88 902 tonnes of corn oil and fractions, marking a steady rise of 7.1% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14.5%, which translates to an average annual increase of 4.6%.

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

Exports corn oil and fractions from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2019 at 12 tonnes and then surged to a peak of 177 tonnes in 2020, representing a dramatic 1,434.9% year-over-year increase. The difference between these years was substantial, with the 2020 volume being 15 times higher than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 81.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico and the Democratic Republic of the Congo consistently served as the primary markets for exports in kind, together making up 9.8% of total export flows.

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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2018 at 97 thousand US dollars and their highest in 2017, with a 3.6-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported 259 thousand US dollars worth of corn oil and fractions, a significant increase of 47.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 72.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 81.1%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, the distribution of exports in value terms was quite scattered. Mexico accounted for 4.5% of exports, France for 1.5%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 1.3%. Together, these three partners represented just 7.4% of total flows, with no single country emerging as a clearly dominant market.

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 corn oil and fractions to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Eastern Africa imported 4 784 tonnes of corn oil and fractions, a moderate increase of 9.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.7%, averaging an annual decline of 1.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 355 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 6 530 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 33.3%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 31.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Argentina, Egypt, and Brazil dominated the import structure in kind. Argentina accounted for 48.1% of imports, Egypt for 21.6%, and Brazil for 10.8%. Together, these three countries represented 80.5% of total import flows.

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, corn oil and fractions imports into Eastern Africa amounted to 3 677 thousand US dollars, showing a robust gain of 10.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 32.3%, which equates to an average annual decline of 12.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 337 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 5 948 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 43.9%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Argentina, Egypt, and Brazil formed the key group of partners for imports in value terms. Argentina contributed 46.2% of imports, Egypt 22.5%, and Brazil 13.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 82.0% of total import flows into Eastern Africa.

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

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