Corn oil and fractions market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market volume for corn oil and fractions in Northern Africa fell significantly from 159.8 thousand tons to 76.9 thousand tons. Domestic production remained stable at around 1 thousand tons annually, while imports, a major component of supply, declined from 178.2 thousand tons to 99.9 thousand tons over the period. Exports showed volatility, peaking at 23.9 thousand tons in 2023.

In 2023, the global corn harvest saw strong growth, which can influence the raw material availability for corn oil production. Northern Africa, a region accounting for nearly 20% of world corn imports, remains dependent on cereal shipments, affecting the supply chain for vegetable oils like corn oil.

Entering 2024, demand for vegetable oils in North Africa has risen by 50%, driven by demographic and economic growth, supporting import volumes. The market environment is also shaped by a Moroccan export restriction on olive oil until the end of 2024 and the implementation of competition law 06-99, which affects pricing and market entry for all table oils, including corn oil.

Production corn oil and fractions in Northern 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

Corn oil and fractions production in Northern Africa has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 981.1 tonnes, marking a 3.9% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.8%. The lowest production level was in 2018, at 750.8 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 11.9%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase of 25.7%.

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

Exports corn oil and fractions from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.8-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Northern Africa exported 9.1 thousand tonnes of corn oil and fractions, which was 41.4% lower than the previous year. The highest export volume was in 2018, at 19.1 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 276.8% recorded that same year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, key buyers of corn oil and fractions from Northern Africa included Jordan, accounting for 6.5% of exports in kind, Kenya at 2.5%, and Syria at 1.5%. Together, these three countries made up 10.5% of total exports in kind, while the remaining 89.5% was distributed among many other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of corn oil and fractions from Northern Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 38.7 million US dollars, showing a slight reduction of 1.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 46.3%, with an average annual decline of 18.7%.

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

The export market in value terms was broad from 2017 to 2020. Jordan contributed 5.6% of exports in value, Kenya 1.9%, and Saudi Arabia 1.0%. Combined, these three countries represented just 8.5% of total export flows, with the remaining 91.5% shared among numerous other nations.

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

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

Imports corn oil and fractions to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Imported volumes of corn oil and fractions in Northern Africa declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region imported 9.1 thousand tonnes, down by 19.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 35.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the largest contributor to imports in kind, making up 36.3%, followed by Turkey at 14.4%, and Brazil at 10.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 61.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Northern Africa's corn oil and fractions import volume fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 149.7 million US dollars, a decrease of 3.1% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports dropped by 39.7%, with an average annual decline of 15.5%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the United States led the import structure in value terms with 32.2%, followed by Turkey at 16.5%, and Spain at 9.6%. These three countries together represented 58.2% of total import flows.

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

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