Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The African oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market showed moderate fluctuations in volume from 2018 to 2023, reaching a peak of 1.33 million tons in 2022. The overall movement was influenced by a combination of global price dynamics for oilseeds, local currency exchange rates in key producing nations, and changes in domestic consumer prices for derived products like fats and oils.

International sunflower seed prices rose significantly in 2020 due to adverse weather in the Black Sea region, which, coupled with a weaker South African rand, supported local market prices and affected trade flows. By 2022, an increase in forecast global oilseed production and a 6.2% drop in consumer prices for fats and oils in South Africa contributed to a expansion of the domestic market volume. In 2023, high global demand for sunflower oil raised international quotations, incentivizing exports and, alongside persistent local challenges like load shedding and high input costs, contributed to a contraction in market size despite increased domestic production.

Production oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of growth, Africa's production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits declined. In 2020, the continent produced 1 476 thousand tons, which represents an 8.0% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 5.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 605 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.3%.

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

Exports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Africa's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits amounted to 221.8 thousand tons, marking a sharp decline of 30.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 35.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 13.5%. The largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 34.2% decrease, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 42.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Denmark, India, and the United States were the primary destinations for Africa's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in volume terms. Denmark accounted for 56.1% of exports, India for 8.0%, and the United States for 4.7%. Together, these three countries represented 68.8% of total export flows.

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, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Africa's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in value terms declined. In 2020, exports totaled 159.1 million US dollars, down 25.9% from 2019. However, over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 49.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.4%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 214.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 56.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark, India, and the United States formed the core of Africa's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in value terms. Denmark accounted for 50.3% of export value, India for 8.6%, and the United States for 7.8%. Collectively, these three markets represented 66.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Africa showed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 9.7 thousand tons and peaked in 2020 at 18.0 thousand tons, representing a 1.8-fold increase between these years. In 2020, imports rose by 74.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 17.5% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Africa's imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in volume terms were highly diversified. Syria accounted for 7.5% of imports, India for 1.6%, and China for 1.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 10.1% of total import flows, with the remaining 89.9% spread across numerous smaller markets.

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, M $ US

Africa's imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in value terms experienced noticeable fluctuations during the period. Imports dropped to their lowest point in 2019 at 28.0 million US dollars and climbed to their highest in 2020 at 47.6 million US dollars, a 1.7-fold increase. In 2020, imports rose by 70.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 with a 9.5% decrease.

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

During 2017–2020, Africa's imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in value terms were relatively evenly distributed. Syria accounted for 28.9% of import value, Peru for 8.6%, and China for 5.3%. Together, these three countries represented 42.7% of total import flows, with the remainder spread across various other markets.

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

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