Cottonseed oil and fractions market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The cottonseed oil market in Northern Africa saw fluctuating volumes between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 35 353 tons in 2018, it grew to 36 155 tons in 2019 before dropping to 32 272 tons in 2020 and 31 755 tons in 2021. The market then recovered strongly, reaching 34 923 tons in 2022 and 39 282 tons in 2023, the highest level in the period.

This trajectory was primarily driven by changes in domestic production, which rose from 33 579 tons in 2018 to 34 393 tons in 2019, fell to 32 740 tons in 2020 and 32 258 tons in 2021, then rebounded to 35 206 tons in 2022 and 38 898 tons in 2023. Import volumes, which reached 2 102 tons in 2018, fell to zero in 2020, contributing to the market contraction, before modestly recovering in subsequent years. Exports remained low, peaking at 593 tons in 2019.

In 2024, Olam Agri announced a USD 100 million investment in cotton processing operations in Nigeria, aiming to increase processing capacity and local value addition in West Africa's cotton sector. Concurrently, the market has seen innovation in hydrogenated cottonseed oil formulations, greater penetration into retail and e-commerce channels, and growing demand for multifunctional vegetable oils in cosmetics and food applications, signaling continued evolution in the cottonseed oil industry.

Production cottonseed oil and fractions in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cottonseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

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

Northern Africa's production of cottonseed oil and fractions saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 34 393 tonnes, but by 2020 it had dropped to 32 740 tonnes, marking a 4.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 49.4%, which translates to an average annual increase of 14.3%. The most significant rise occurred in 2018, with a jump of 53.2%.

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

Exports cottonseed oil and fractions from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 13.9-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Northern Africa exported 468 tonnes of cottonseed oil and fractions, representing a sharp decline of 21.1% compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 593 tonnes, while the largest percentage increase occurred in 2018, surging by 664.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Northern Africa's cottonseed oil and fractions exports were Malaysia, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia. Malaysia accounted for 30.5% of exports in kind, Yemen for 17.3%, and Saudi Arabia for 17.1%. Together, these three countries made up 64.8% of total export flows.

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, K $ US

The market experienced volatility over the observed timeframe. Export values varied significantly, with a 12-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, Northern Africa's exports of cottonseed oil and fractions amounted to 475 thousand US dollars, down 5.1% from 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 500 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase happened in 2018, rising by 883.0%.

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

During 2017–2020, Malaysia, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia were the key partners for Northern Africa's cottonseed oil and fractions exports in value terms. Malaysia contributed 32.4% of export value, Yemen 14.1%, and Saudi Arabia 14.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 60.6% of total export flows.

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 cottonseed oil and fractions to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Import volumes reached their lowest in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a dramatic 11 835-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Northern Africa imported just 0.2 tonnes of cottonseed oil and fractions, a complete drop of 100.0% from the previous year. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 2 355 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, soaring by 1 864.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the dominant source for Northern Africa's imports of cottonseed oil and fractions in kind, accounting for 70.3% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

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, K $ US

The market exhibited instability during the timeframe. Import values fluctuated widely, with a 1 658-fold variation between the low in 2020 and the high in 2019. In 2020, Northern Africa imported 2 thousand US dollars worth of cottonseed oil and fractions, a steep decline of 99.9% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 897 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase took place in 2018, jumping by 949.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading supplier of cottonseed oil and fractions to Northern Africa in value terms, making up 84.9% of total imports. Other countries accounted for the remainder of the volume.

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

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