Groundnut oil and fractions market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

Egypt's groundnut oil production rose from 11 952 tons in 2018 to 17 119 tons in 2020, as the market volume followed a similar upward path. This expansion was initially supported by the Ministry of Agriculture's regulations on peanut trade and phytosanitary standards, which aimed to ensure product quality. The growth accelerated in 2019 when the oil crisis prompted a strategic focus on domestic peanut cultivation as a substitute for imported oils. In 2020, large-scale planting of peanuts across 160 thousand feddans provided ample raw material, sustaining higher oil extraction volumes.

A sharp decline to 10 858 tons occurred in 2021, as farmers switched to more profitable crops due to low economic returns from peanuts, severely reducing local supply. The market began to recover in 2022, reaching 12 776 tons, partly because peanut oil found new industrial applications in sectors like paint, lubrication, and cosmetics, creating additional demand. By 2023, production rebounded to 16 221 tons, driven by strong global demand for high-quality Egyptian peanuts and the activation of Joint Ministerial Decision No. 62 of 2000, which tightened export inspection rules to meet EU aflatoxin standards and secure foreign markets.

Production groundnut oil and fractions in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of groundnut oil and fractions, 2017-2020

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

Egypt's production of groundnut oil and fractions increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Egypt produced 17 119 tonnes, marking a 23.2% rise compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 15.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 11 952 tonnes, with that year also seeing the largest decline of 41.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Egypt in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports groundnut oil and fractions from Egypt

Exports in kind, t

The export market for groundnut oil and fractions from Egypt showed significant volatility during this period. Volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 26.4 tonnes, then climbed to a peak of 118.8 tonnes in 2020, representing a 4.5-fold increase. The 2020 figure marked a substantial rise of 240.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 75.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt's key export partners for groundnut oil and fractions in volume terms were Jordan, accounting for 33.6% of exports, Germany with 32.5%, and the United States at 9.0%. Together, these three countries represented 75.1% of Egypt's total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for groundnut oil and fractions from Egypt exhibited considerable volatility. The period saw a peak in 2017 and a trough in 2019, with a 5.3-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Egypt exported 200.0 thousand US dollars worth of groundnut oil and fractions, showing a sharp year-on-year increase of 354.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 44.0 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline of 78.6% occurred in 2018.

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

During 2017–2020, Germany was the leading buyer of Egyptian groundnut oil and fractions in value terms, accounting for 32.8% of exports, followed by Jordan at 30.9% and the United States with 10.9%. These three partners together represented 74.6% of Egypt's total export value for this product.

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

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

Imports groundnut oil and fractions to Egypt

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of groundnut oil and fractions into Egypt displayed notable volatility. The highest volume was reached in 2017, while the lowest occurred in 2019 at 10.0 tonnes, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 4.7 times. In 2020, Egypt's imports amounted to 18.7 tonnes, reflecting an 87.7% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 64.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain remained Egypt's primary source for groundnut oil and fractions in volume terms, accounting for 70.9% of total imports. The remaining volume was distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values for groundnut oil and fractions into Egypt showed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The peak occurred in 2017, while the trough was in 2019 at 18.7 thousand US dollars, with a 5.1-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Egypt imported 41.9 thousand US dollars worth of groundnut oil and fractions, marking a 124.1% increase relative to the prior year. The largest decline of 67.5% was recorded in 2018.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, Spain and Germany clearly dominated Egypt's import partner structure in value terms for groundnut oil and fractions, while other countries collectively accounted for the remaining share.

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

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