Linseed oil-cake market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for linseed oil-cake in Sub-Saharan Africa fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2020, rising from 42 449 t to 49 909 t before declining to 43 084 t. Following this, from 2021 to 2023, the market entered a phase of gradual recovery and stabilization, growing to 44 999 t. This period was marked by increased regional trade activity in oil-cake products, such as exports from Zambia to South Africa, and the emergence of new enzyme extraction methods offering higher yield for linseed oil processing.

The market's development from 2023 onward was shaped by broader industry trends. Global supply constraints for linseed oil, including a sharp production drop in Kazakhstan, affected raw material availability. Concurrently, rising wellness and vegan dietary trends in markets like South Africa spurred a 22% increase in linseed oil imports, supporting demand for related by-products like oil-cake. Nigeria also emerged as the fastest-growing importer of linseed oil in Africa, reflecting shifting regional demand patterns.

Production linseed oil-cake in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of linseed oil-cake, 2017-2020

World map of production of linseed oil-cake, 2017-2020

Linseed oil-cake production in Sub-Saharan Africa has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 43 085 tonnes, which represents a 13.7% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 14.8%, averaging an annual decline of 5.2%. The most stable year was 2018, with no significant change in production levels.

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

Exports linseed oil-cake from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

The export market for linseed oil-cake in Sub-Saharan Africa showed considerable volatility over this period. In 2018, exports reached their peak at 8 092 tonnes, but then plummeted to just 64 tonnes in 2019—a staggering 126-fold difference. By 2020, exports rebounded to 78 tonnes, marking a strong 21.9% increase from the previous year. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 99.2%, while the most dramatic surge was in 2018, with a 6 123.6% increase.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export market was highly concentrated, with Turkey alone accounting for 90.5% of all linseed oil-cake exports from Sub-Saharan Africa.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of linseed oil-cake exports from Sub-Saharan Africa experienced significant fluctuations during these years. In 2018, export revenues peaked at 548.7 thousand US dollars, only to drop sharply to 40.9 thousand US dollars in 2019—a 13.4-fold decrease. By 2020, exports recovered to 73.5 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial 79.7% gain from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 92.5%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a 722.0% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the leading destination for linseed oil-cake exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms, capturing 71.5% of the total export revenue.

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

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

Imports linseed oil-cake to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

Imports of linseed oil-cake into Sub-Saharan Africa were also marked by volatility during this timeframe. In 2017, imports hit their highest point at 77 tonnes, but then fell to a low of just 6 tonnes in 2018—a 13.9-fold difference. By 2020, imports rebounded to 77 tonnes, indicating a 49.0% rise from the year before. The most significant decline was in 2018, with a 92.8% drop, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 797.6% surge.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Portugal was the primary source for linseed oil-cake imports into Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 4.3% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sub-Saharan Africa's imports of linseed oil-cake in value terms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 51.7 thousand US dollars, reflecting an 18.6% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import values grew by 15.4%, which translates to an average annual increase of 4.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 31.7 thousand US dollars, with the sharpest decline that year at 29.1%. The most notable increase was in 2019, with a 37.4% gain.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the key markets for linseed oil-cake imports into Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms were Portugal (5.1% of imports), Canada (2.6%), and the United Kingdom (1.7%). Together, these three countries accounted for 9.3% of total import flows.

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

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