Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa's oil seeds market volume grew steadily from 15 406 t to 16 040 t. This gradual expansion was supported by the Oil and Protein Seeds Development Trust (OPDT), which financed research and market access initiatives, helping to sustain domestic production. The market experienced a slight contraction in 2020, reflecting short-term stabilization as import volumes dipped.

In 2022, global supply shortages following COVID-19 production cuts and geopolitical conflicts increased South Africa's reliance on imports, lifting market volume to 16 328 t. Amendments to the Agricultural Product Standards Act that year introduced new grading, packing, and marking regulations for canola and sunflower seeds, improving market standards. The following year, a decline in global oilseed prices and the release of pent-up demand after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions spurred consumption, driving market volume sharply to 20 240 t as imports surged to 5 172 t.

Industry development efforts by OPDT continued through 2024 and 2025. While full market size data is unavailable for these years, import levels remained elevated compared to pre-2022 periods, indicating sustained domestic demand for oil seeds.

Production oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, 2018-2021

World map of production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, 2018-2021

South Africa's production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 15 229 tonnes, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 2.2%. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, overall production rose by 3.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

South Africa's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 92 tonnes, which represents a 5.8% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports fell by 54.2%, with an average annual decline of 22.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia were the main destinations for South Africa's oil seeds and oleaginous fruits exports by volume. Botswana accounted for 28.6% of exports, Namibia for 28.5%, and Zambia for 7.3%. Together, these three countries absorbed 64.4% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market performance for South Africa's oil seeds and oleaginous fruits exports showed significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2021. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 188 000 US dollars, while the peak-to-trough amplitude over this period was 2.2 times. In 2021, export value reached 331 000 US dollars, a substantial 76.4% increase year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 43.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia were the leading markets for South Africa's oil seeds and oleaginous fruits exports by value. Botswana represented 22.3% of export value, Namibia 21.4%, and Zambia 14.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 58.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

South Africa's imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits showed a gradual increase in 2021, reaching 1 020 tonnes, which is 9.0% higher than in 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 3.6%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 020 tonnes, while the lowest was in 2020 at 830 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with an 18.7% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, China, the Netherlands, and Argentina were the principal suppliers of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to South Africa by volume. China accounted for 36.0% of imports, the Netherlands for 10.6%, and Argentina for 8.6%. Together, these three countries represented 55.2% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, South Africa's imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits by value amounted to 2 115 000 US dollars, showing a slight year-over-year increase of 2.9%. Over the 2018-2021 period, however, import value decreased by 4.8%, with an average annual decline of 1.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 384 000 US dollars, while the lowest was in 2020 at 2 056 000 US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020 with a 13.7% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 7.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, China, the Netherlands, and Argentina dominated South Africa's imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits by value. China represented 44.4% of import value, the Netherlands 14.1%, and Argentina 7.7%. Together, these three countries accounted for 66.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021