Non-vegetable waxes market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the African non-vegetable waxes market showed significant volatility. Market volume grew from 20,460 t in 2018 to 27,052 t in 2019, a 32% increase, primarily driven by a sharp rise in imports to 13,954 t. However, in 2020, the market contracted to 19,002 t, a 30% drop, as imports more than halved.

The market continued to fluctuate in the following years. In 2021, volume stabilized at 18,867 t despite domestic production rising to 18,610 t. By 2022, the market shrank to its lowest point in the period at 15,522 t, as imports fell to 1,460 t. A partial recovery occurred in 2023, with volume reaching 17,401 t, supported by imports increasing to 2,611 t while production held steady at 16,677 t.

Moving into 2024, the market environment is influenced by several structural factors. Intra-African trade in agricultural products remains significant despite access barriers. Policies favoring large-scale agro-industry and supermarket chains could stimulate production and distribution networks. Furthermore, European Union sanitary and phytosanitary regulations continue to shape export opportunities, while strong agricultural harvests and exports from South Africa indirectly support raw material availability.

Production non-vegetable waxes in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of non-vegetable waxes, 2017-2020

World map of production of non-vegetable waxes, 2017-2020

In 2020, Africa produced 15 326 tonnes of non-vegetable waxes, representing a modest 4.4% increase compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually declined by 6.1%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 2.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 14 687 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 16 477 tonnes. The most significant drop in production was observed in 2019, when it fell by 10.9%.

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

Exports non-vegetable waxes from Africa

Exports in kind, t

Africa's exports of non-vegetable waxes grew for the second year in a row in 2020, reaching 1 641 tonnes. This marked a 3.3% increase from 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 1 274 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 19.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase, with exports jumping by 24.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, France, and Germany were the key destinations for Africa's non-vegetable wax exports by volume. The United States accounted for 33.0% of exports, France for 15.1%, and Germany for 14.9%. Together, these three countries represented 63.1% of total export flows during this period.

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 export value data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import levels varied significantly, with a 1.8-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Africa's non-vegetable wax exports were valued at 10 558 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest decline of 4.8% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 6 346 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest drop of 44.8%. Conversely, 2019 had the biggest increase, with export value surging by 74.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Germany, and Japan were the top buyers of non-vegetable waxes from Africa in value terms. The United States led with 38.0% of export value, followed by Germany at 17.9%, and Japan at 14.2%. Collectively, these three markets made up 70.2% of total export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports non-vegetable waxes to Africa

Imports in kind, t

The import volume data indicates irregular changes, suggesting a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 13.5-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Africa imported 5 316 tonnes of non-vegetable waxes from abroad, which represents a sharp decline of 61.9% compared to 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 13 954 tonnes. The most substantial increase occurred in 2018, when imports soared by 408.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, China, and Thailand were the primary sources of non-vegetable wax imports to Africa by volume. Indonesia contributed 45.6% of imports, China 17.6%, and Thailand 16.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 79.8% of total import flows during this period.

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

In 2020, Africa imported non-vegetable waxes worth 8 258 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a sudden decrease of 29.7% from the previous year. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 4.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest import value was in 2018 at 7 420 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2019 at 11 752 thousand US dollars. The largest increase happened in 2019, with import value rising by 58.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China, Indonesia, and India were the main markets for non-vegetable wax imports to Africa in value terms. China accounted for 31.2% of import value, Indonesia for 25.6%, and India for 10.2%. Combined, these three countries represented 67.0% of total import flows during this timeframe.

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

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