Non-vegetable waxes market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for non-vegetable waxes in Sub-Saharan Africa exhibited considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. It climbed sharply to a high of 25 448 t in 2019, representing growth of 31% over the previous year, before contracting by 30% to 17 793 t in 2020.

This peak was largely attributable to a surge in imports, which reached 12 519 t in 2019. Subsequent years saw the market volume stabilize around 18 000 t in 2021, then decline to 14 997 t in 2022 amid lower import levels. A moderate recovery followed in 2023, with the market reaching 16 319 t as production increased.

Overall, the market volume in 2023 finished 16% below the 2019 peak, reflecting the pronounced swings in trade and supply that defined the period.

Production non-vegetable waxes in Sub-Saharan 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, Sub-Saharan Africa produced 15 078 tonnes of non-vegetable waxes, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 4.3%. 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 14 462 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 16 239 tonnes. The most significant drop in production happened in 2019, when it fell by 10.9%.

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

Exports non-vegetable waxes from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

Sub-Saharan Africa's exports of non-vegetable waxes grew for the second year in a row in 2020, reaching 1 610 tonnes—a 5.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 12.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The export volume hit its lowest point in 2018 at 1 221 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 14.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest surge, with exports jumping by 25.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, France, and Germany were consistently the top destinations for Sub-Saharan Africa's non-vegetable wax exports by volume. The United States accounted for 34.7% of exports, France for 15.9%, and Germany for 13.7%. Together, these three countries represented 64.3% 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 Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market for non-vegetable wax exports from Sub-Saharan Africa showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. The highest export value was recorded in 2017, while the lowest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 1.8 times. In 2020, exports amounted to 10 331 thousand US dollars, showing little change from the previous year. The minimum value was 6 001 thousand US dollars in 2018, which also saw the largest decline of 43.2%. Conversely, 2019 posted the biggest increase, with export value rising by 71.9%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the United States, Germany, and Japan were the leading destinations for Sub-Saharan Africa's non-vegetable wax exports by value. The United States held a 40.4% share of export value, Germany accounted for 17.5%, and Japan for 14.7%. Combined, these three countries made up 72.6% of total export flows in value terms.

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 non-vegetable waxes to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of non-vegetable waxes into Sub-Saharan Africa exhibited significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 12 519 tonnes, while the minimum was in 2017, resulting in a 15-fold variation between these two years. In 2020, imports dropped to 4 325 tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 65.5% compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, when imports surged by 433.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, Thailand, and India were the primary sources of non-vegetable wax imports into Sub-Saharan Africa by volume. Indonesia supplied 53.0% of imports, Thailand contributed 19.3%, and India accounted for 9.3%. Together, these three countries represented 81.6% of total import flows in kind.

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

Import values of non-vegetable waxes into Sub-Saharan Africa showed irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. The highest import value was noted in 2019, while the lowest was in 2018, with a 1.7-fold gap between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 5 656 thousand US dollars, down 28.2% year-over-year. The minimum value was 4 533 thousand US dollars in 2018, which also saw the largest decline of 30.7%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase, with import value rising by 73.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Indonesia, Thailand, and India remained the main suppliers of non-vegetable waxes to Sub-Saharan Africa by value. Indonesia accounted for 36.8% of import value, Thailand for 14.0%, and India for 11.2%. Collectively, these three countries formed 62.0% of total imports in value terms.

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