Linseed oil and fractions market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The African market for linseed oil and its fractions experienced considerable volume fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Market size grew to 107 429 tons in 2019, then contracted over the next three years to 85 378 tons in 2022, before recovering to 95 606 tons in 2023.

This volatility was closely tied to import levels, which surged to nearly 69 000 tons in 2020 before falling sharply, while domestic production remained relatively stable between 35 000 and 38 000 tons throughout the period.

In 2024, regulatory changes in South Africa, such as the phase-out of certain hazardous pesticides under new GHS classifications and updated chemical labeling guidelines, began to alter the agricultural input landscape. Consumer preference for natural, chemical-free products like raw linseed oil for wood treatment continued to support the market for unmodified oils.

Production linseed oil and fractions in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of linseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

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

Africa's production of linseed oil and fractions has declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, output stood at 39 680 tonnes, but by 2020 it had dropped to 35 859 tonnes, marking a modest decrease of 9.6%. Looking back over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 10.4%, with an average annual decline of 3.6%. The peak was reached in 2018, when 43 542 tonnes were produced, representing an 8.9% increase from the previous year.

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

Exports linseed oil and fractions from Africa

Exports in kind, t

Africa's exports of linseed oil and fractions have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the continent exported 1 346 tonnes, which is a 19.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 426.1%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 73.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Finland, and the United States were the key markets for Africa's linseed oil and fractions exports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 3.8% of exports, Finland for 2.6%, and the United States for 0.6%. Together, these three countries represented 6.9% of total export flows.

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

Africa's exports of linseed oil and fractions in value terms have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 4 437 thousand US dollars, more than doubling with a 107.2% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value expanded by 366.2%, averaging an annual growth of 67.1%.

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

The distribution of export value from 2017 to 2020 was quite spread out. The Netherlands led with 21.0% of exports in value terms, followed by the United States at 3.3% and Germany at 2.3%. Combined, these three countries made up just 26.6% of total flows, while the remaining 73.4% was divided among a wide array of other destinations.

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 oil and fractions to Africa

Imports in kind, t

Africa's imports of linseed oil and fractions in volume terms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 69 406 tonnes, showing a slight rise of 0.7% from 2019. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 10.7%, with an average annual decline of 3.7%. The lowest point was in 2018, with 43 031 tonnes, marking a sharp drop of 44.7% from the previous year. This was followed by a significant rebound in 2019, with a 60.1% increase.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore were the main sources for Africa's linseed oil and fractions imports in volume terms. Malaysia supplied 48.7% of imports, Indonesia 18.6%, and Singapore 8.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 75.5% of total import flows.

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 imports of linseed oil and fractions in value terms have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 40 280 thousand US dollars, up 4.9% from 2019. Despite this recent uptick, imports fell by 40.7% overall between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annual decrease of 16.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 25 711 thousand US dollars, a steep decline of 62.2% from the previous year. This was followed by a notable recovery in 2019, with a 49.4% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates were the primary suppliers of linseed oil and fractions to Africa in value terms. Malaysia contributed 40.0% of import value, Indonesia 15.0%, and the United Arab Emirates 9.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 64.2% 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