Linseed oil and fractions market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Production of linseed oil in Eastern Africa declined from 34 870 t in 2018 to 28 975 t in 2020, after which it began a gradual recovery, reaching 30 181 t by 2023. Market size, however, followed a different path due to significant swings in import volumes.

In 2020, imports surged to 11 707 t, driving the total market size to 39 861 t despite the ongoing drop in domestic output. This was the only year where import levels substantially exceeded typical figures.

In the following years, imports returned to more usual levels of between 2 000 t and 3 500 t annually, and the market size stabilized within the 31 000–32 000 t range. By 2023, the market stood at 31 656 t, reflecting steady consumption alongside recovering local production.

Production linseed oil and fractions in Eastern 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

Eastern Africa's production of linseed oil and fractions declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, production was at a higher level, but by 2020 it had dropped to 28,975 tonnes, representing a significant decrease of 11.3% compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 13.2%, with an average annual decline of 4.6%. The peak production occurred in 2018, reaching 34,870 tonnes, which was also the year with the largest increase at 4.5%.

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

Exports linseed oil and fractions from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market for linseed oil and fractions exports from Eastern Africa experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 86 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 821 tonnes in 2020, marking a dramatic increase of 858.7% from the previous year. This shift represented a 9.6-fold difference between the minimum and maximum values. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 66.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key destinations for Eastern Africa's linseed oil and fractions exports in volume terms were the Netherlands, accounting for 26.1% of exports, the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 22.8%, and South Africa with 3.5%. Together, these three countries represented 52.4% of the total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms showed signs of volatility over the observed years. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 245 thousand US dollars, while in 2020, exports jumped to 2,729 thousand US dollars, a sharp increase of 1,012.7% compared to the year before. This created an 11.1-fold difference between the peak and trough. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 62.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the leading destinations for Eastern Africa's linseed oil and fractions exports in value terms were the Netherlands, which accounted for 46.8% of exports, the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 8.2%, and Germany with 5.0%. Collectively, these three markets made up 60.0% of the total export value.

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

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

Imports linseed oil and fractions to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

The import market for linseed oil and fractions in Eastern Africa was characterized by volatility during these years. Volumes hit a low in 2017, then peaked in 2020, with a 9.3-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, imports amounted to a total value, showing an increase of 762.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 1.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore—dominated Eastern Africa's imports of linseed oil and fractions in volume terms, together accounting for 81.9% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes in import values, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest point was in 2017, while imports peaked in 2020, with a 16-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Eastern Africa imported 11,581 thousand US dollars worth of linseed oil and fractions, up by 1,098.1% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 3.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the core sources for Eastern Africa's imports of linseed oil and fractions in value terms were Malaysia, representing 54.4% of imports, Indonesia at 16.5%, and the United States with 7.1%. Together, these three countries accounted for 78.0% of the total import flows.

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

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