Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market in Middle Africa expanded consistently from 68 362 t in 2018 to 77 674 t in 2023. This growth was initially supported by the development of agricultural market information systems in 2020, which provided producers with price data to better direct their products and achieve fairer market prices, enhancing production efficiency and output.

Further momentum came from increased availability of quality seeds for crops like maize and cocoa through cooperatives in 2021, directly boosting yields. In 2022, despite rising input costs, the arrival of a significant shipment of fertilizers from Russia alleviated local shortages and helped sustain production volumes, while the PADFA II project aimed to strengthen agricultural value chains, contributing to market resilience and growth.

By 2024, factors such as improved peanut availability in northern regions and stable inflation with better supply of pulses and oilseeds supported favorable market conditions, although flooding affected other agricultural products without halting the overall positive trajectory for oil seeds.

Production oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

Middle Africa's production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 74 100 tonnes, which represents a 5.7% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 8.6%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 2.8%.

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

Exports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, t

Middle Africa's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 18.0 tonnes, showing a sharp drop of 57.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 53.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -22.6%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 47.9 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 23.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria, Niger, and Kenya were the core destinations for Middle Africa's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in volume terms. Nigeria accounted for 45.0% of exports, Niger for 8.8%, and Kenya for 6.3%, together making up 60.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export values varied by 2.8 times, with the low point in 2017 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Middle Africa exported oil seeds and oleaginous fruits worth 51 000 US dollars, reflecting a substantial year-on-year increase of 120.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 41.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading destinations for Middle Africa's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in value terms were Nigeria, Kenya, and Niger. Nigeria represented 31.6% of export value, Kenya 15.0%, and Niger 5.1%, collectively accounting for 51.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes varied significantly, with an 8.1-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2017. In 2020, Middle Africa imported 71.9 tonnes of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, down 76.6% from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 307.9 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 401.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Namibia, Portugal, and Lebanon were the main sources for Middle Africa's imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in volume terms. Namibia accounted for 43.7% of imports, Portugal for 31.9%, and Lebanon for 5.1%, together representing 80.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this period. Import values varied by 3.9 times, with the high in 2017 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Middle Africa's imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits reached 271 000 US dollars, marking a 59.2% decrease compared to the prior year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 34.5%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Benin, Papua New Guinea, and Portugal were the primary suppliers of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to Middle Africa in value terms. Benin accounted for 29.2% of import value, Papua New Guinea for 18.7%, and Portugal for 12.6%, jointly making up 60.5% of total imports.

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

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