Linseed market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the linseed market volume in Africa showed significant fluctuations. Starting at 133.9 thousand tons in 2018, it declined to 113.9 thousand tons in 2019 and further to 112.3 thousand tons in 2020. The downward trend continued in 2021 with the market reaching 101.5 thousand tons, followed by a sharp contraction to 71.0 thousand tons in 2022. However, 2023 saw a strong recovery, with the market volume jumping to 119.2 thousand tons.

In 2024, the linseed market in South Africa was influenced by global factors such as the rand/dollar exchange rate and international commodity prices, which affected import costs and domestic price levels. Production levels in major regions like South America, along with global freight and logistics disruptions, also played a role in shaping the oilseed market environment.

Production linseed in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of linseed, 2017-2020

World map of production of linseed, 2017-2020

In 2018, Africa's linseed production reached its highest level at 121.0 thousand tonnes, representing a 19.7% increase. However, in 2019, production experienced its largest decline of 15.6%. By 2020, production had recovered slightly to 102.8 thousand tonnes, showing a modest year-over-year growth of 0.7%.

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

Exports linseed from Africa

Exports in kind, t

The export market for linseed from Africa showed significant volatility during this period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 402 tonnes, marking a 54.3% decline. The following year saw a dramatic turnaround with exports surging by 287.7%. By 2020, exports reached their peak at 2,846 tonnes, an 82.5% increase from the previous year, creating a 7.1-fold difference between the highest and lowest years.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Africa's linseed exports were distributed across multiple markets. China accounted for 23.4% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 5.7%, and Turkey for 4.4%. Together, these three markets represented 33.6% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of linseed exports from Africa followed an unstable pattern. In 2018, export values reached their lowest point at 603 thousand US dollars, declining by 15.8%. The following year saw a substantial recovery with values increasing by 139.8%. By 2020, export values peaked at 3,436 thousand US dollars, showing a 137.5% year-over-year increase and creating a 5.7-fold difference between the highest and lowest years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated Africa's linseed export market in value terms, accounting for 41.9% of total exports. Turkey followed with 7.9%, and Japan with 5.8%. Together, these three markets represented 55.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports linseed to Africa

Imports in kind, t

Africa's linseed imports showed mixed trends between 2017 and 2020. After increasing for two consecutive years, imports declined in 2020 to 12,365 tonnes, down 7.8% from the previous year. The highest import volume occurred in 2019 at 13,416 tonnes, following a 19.1% increase in 2018. Overall, imports grew by 10.2% over the four-year period, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 3.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia was the dominant source for Africa's linseed imports, accounting for 54.1% of total volume. Ukraine contributed 12.9%, and Canada 11.9%. Together, these three countries supplied 78.9% of Africa's linseed imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Africa's linseed import values showed steady growth from 2017 to 2020. In 2018, import values reached their peak at 8,922 thousand US dollars, increasing by 13.5%. The following year saw a slight decline of 5.3%. By 2020, import values had recovered to 8,867 thousand US dollars, up 5.0% from 2019. Over the four-year period, import values increased by 12.8%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 4.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the primary source for Africa's linseed imports in value terms, accounting for 54.4% of total import value. Canada followed with 12.0%, and Ukraine with 11.7%. Together, these three countries represented 78.1% of total import value.

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

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