Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in South-eastern Asia experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After growing to over 723 thousand tonnes in 2019, market volume contracted sharply to 566 thousand tonnes in 2020. This was followed by a period of stabilization and modest recovery, reaching 570 thousand tonnes by 2023.

Production volumes mirrored this pattern, peaking at 723 thousand tonnes in 2019 before falling to 577 thousand tonnes in 2020. Output gradually recovered to 580 thousand tonnes in 2023, indicating a slow rebound in domestic cultivation and harvesting activities across the region.

By 2024, key factors began shaping the market landscape. Indonesia implemented a mandatory biodiesel blending policy requiring 35% palm oil (B35), directly increasing domestic consumption of palm oil for biofuel. In Malaysia, improved fresh fruit bunch yields and better labor availability supported palm oil production growth. Simultaneously, strong demand from China boosted exports of products like durian and coconut from Vietnam, while consumer preference shifted toward organic and sustainably produced oil seeds, creating premiums for certified goods.

Production oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in South-eastern Asia

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 years of growth, South-eastern Asia's production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits declined. In 2020, the region produced 576.5 K t, marking a 20.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 14.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 723.1 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 5.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports bottomed out in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, South-eastern Asia exported 19 107 t of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, representing a significant year-over-year increase of 121.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from South-eastern Asia were distributed across numerous markets. China accounted for 26.8% of exports, India for 12.0%, and South Korea for 5.0%, with these three countries together representing 43.7% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, showing a 2.8-fold gap between these years. In 2020, South-eastern Asia exported 57 048 K $ US worth of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, corresponding to a sharp increase of 180.2% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 20 358 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 45.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, three key markets dominated exports in value terms: China, India, and Pakistan. Together, they accounted for 67.1% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits into South-eastern Asia declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at 8 161 t, representing a modest year-over-year decrease of 7.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 12.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 8 811 t, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 16.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017-2020, China, India, and Mexico formed the main group of sources for imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits into South-eastern Asia. China accounted for 40.1% of imports, India for 6.3%, and Mexico for 4.3%, with these three countries together making up 50.8% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits into South-eastern Asia reached 26 409 K $ US, reflecting a strong year-over-year gain of 22.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 20.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 21 604 K $ US, while the maximum occurred in 2018 at 27 057 K $ US. The largest decline was in 2019 at 20.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 23.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Mexico, and India remained the key partners for imports in value terms. China accounted for 45.4% of imports, Mexico for 5.7%, and India for 5.5%, with these three countries together representing 56.5% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020