Groundnut oil and fractions market in Sudan

Earlier Report Observations

Sudan's groundnut oil market expanded from 177.5 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 236.1 thousand tonnes in 2020, despite a dip in 2019. This growth was underpinned by a government ban on raw peanut exports, which aimed to boost local processing and capture more value, thereby supporting domestic production. In 2019, market volume fell to 152.9 thousand tonnes as consumer demand was curbed by rising edible oil prices, driven by dollar exchange rate volatility. The subsequent surge in 2020, with production reaching 270 thousand tonnes, was facilitated by the adoption of modern agricultural practices that increased peanut yields.

The market stabilized around 244 thousand tonnes during 2021-2022. Strong demand for groundnut oil, owing to its perceived nutritional and medicinal benefits, along with the continued raw export ban, kept local crushing activity robust. During this period, new high-efficiency peanut oil mills employing screw-pressing and cold-press technologies emerged, enhancing the sector's processing capacity even as total output slightly declined.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2023, with the market volume dropping to 150.2 thousand tonnes and production falling to 159 thousand tonnes. This decline was driven by rising production costs and persistent dollar exchange rate fluctuations, which squeezed processor margins and led to higher retail prices, ultimately dampening consumption.

Production groundnut oil and fractions in Sudan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Sudan ranked fifth globally in the production of groundnut oil and fractions.

Top producers of groundnut oil and fractions, 2017-2020

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

Following a two-year decline, Sudan's production of groundnut oil and fractions rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 270.0 K t, marking a 57.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 37.9%, averaging an annualized rate of 11.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 171.6 K t, with the largest year-on-year drop occurring in 2018 at 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sudan in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports groundnut oil and fractions from Sudan

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, showing a dramatic 131-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Sudan's export volume of groundnut oil and fractions totaled 33 897 t, an 80.9% increase from the prior year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 259 t, with the largest decline that year at 99.2%. Conversely, the most substantial increase occurred in 2019, soaring by 7 146.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan's exports of groundnut oil and fractions in kind were almost entirely directed to China, which accounted for 93.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility throughout the observed period. Export values dropped to their minimum in 2018 and rose to a peak in 2020, representing a 4.8-fold increase. In 2020, the value of foreign groundnut oil and fractions supplies from Sudan reached 53 135 K $ US, up by 129.5% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 11 174 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 70.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, China dominated Sudan's exports of groundnut oil and fractions in value terms, capturing 94.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports groundnut oil and fractions to Sudan

Imports in kind, t

Noticeable fluctuations characterized market performance during this period. Imports fell to their trough in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with an 11.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, groundnut oil and fractions deliveries to Sudan amounted to 1 t, a sharp increase of 138.6% year-over-year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.3 t, while the maximum was in 2018 at 3 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 91.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key destinations for Sudan's imports of groundnut oil and fractions in kind were the United Arab Emirates (44.8% of imports), China (17.0% of imports), and Spain (15.1% of imports), collectively accounting for 76.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a 6.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, groundnut oil and fractions imports to Sudan totaled 2 K $ US, a dramatic increase of 143.6% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 70.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the core sources for Sudan's imports of groundnut oil and fractions in value terms were Spain (29.0% of imports), the United Arab Emirates (22.6% of imports), and Tunisia (18.4% of imports), together making up 70.0% of total flows.

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

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