Non-vegetable waxes market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, Ethiopia's production of non-vegetable waxes, primarily beeswax, increased gradually from 5 629 t to 5 819 t. This growth occurred within a sector characterized by traditional beekeeping practices, where smallholder producers using fixed-comb hives dominate, and significant wax losses persist due to poor handling and lack of organized collection systems.

The domestic market volume for non-vegetable waxes fluctuated between 5 272 t and 5 498 t from 2019 to 2022, then rose notably to 6 213 t in 2023. This expansion was largely driven by a spike in imports to 501 t, which coincided with a reported 18.5% decrease in import prices for beeswax over the preceding five years, making imported wax more cost-competitive and increasing total supply.

In value terms, the market size declined from USD 46.8 million in 2018 to USD 39.6 million in 2022, before recovering to USD 45.7 million in 2023. These valuation changes reflect both volume movements and price dynamics, with the reduction in import prices contributing to the physical market expansion in 2023.

Production non-vegetable waxes in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Ethiopia ranked as the world's second-largest producer of non-vegetable waxes by volume.

Top producers of non-vegetable waxes, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Ethiopia produced 5 712 tonnes of non-vegetable waxes, marking a 3.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.9%, averaging an annual rise of 1.3%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 1.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Ethiopia's non-vegetable waxes production value fell for the third year in a row in 2020, reaching 43 307 thousand US dollars, down 7.2% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 12.2%, with an average annual decline of 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ethiopia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports non-vegetable waxes from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Ethiopia exported 249.5 tonnes of non-vegetable waxes, a 2.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 22.3%, averaging an annual fall of 8.1%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 225.4 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 29.8%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 at 13.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United States, and Japan were the primary buyers of non-vegetable waxes from Ethiopia, accounting for 43.9%, 25.1%, and 16.3% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 85.2% of total exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Ethiopia's non-vegetable waxes exports were valued at 1 892 thousand US dollars, a 12.3% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 34.3%, with an average annual decline of 13.1%. The largest drop was in 2018 at 32.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 10.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany, the United States, and Japan were the top markets for Ethiopia's non-vegetable waxes exports in value terms, collectively absorbing 85.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports non-vegetable waxes to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, t

Ethiopia's imports of non-vegetable waxes declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, with a volume of 2.0 tonnes, down 44.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 85.7%, averaging an annual drop of 47.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, India, and Germany were the leading sources of non-vegetable waxes imports to Ethiopia, accounting for 27.4%, 20.6%, and 1.3% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 49.3% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market for non-vegetable waxes in Ethiopia showed volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 3 thousand US dollars, with a 94.3% decline that year, and peaked in 2017, showing a 40-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports surged to 13 thousand US dollars, a sharp increase of 342.8% from 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, India, and Germany were the main sources of non-vegetable waxes imports to Ethiopia in value terms, accounting for 23.1%, 14.3%, and 1.1% of imports, respectively. Together, they made up 38.4% of total import value.

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

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