Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market in Southern Asia expanded from 717.1 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 719.8 thousand tonnes in 2019, supported by the National Food Security Mission's push to raise oilseed production through yield improvements. Market volume then contracted to 692.2 thousand tonnes in 2020 as import levels fell sharply.

A steady recovery followed, with volume reaching 715.9 thousand tonnes by 2023. This growth was driven in part by a 25.6% surge in oilmeal exports during the 2023-24 period, which boosted domestic crushing demand. Export restrictions on de-oiled rice bran until March 2024 further supported the market by retaining raw materials for local processing.

Production oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Southern 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

Southern Asia's production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 693.5 thousand tonnes, marking a 2.2% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 5.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.7%. The lowest output was in 2018 at 646.5 thousand tonnes, when production dropped by 11.5%—the sharpest decrease during this timeframe. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest rise, with a 4.9% increase.

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

Exports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility throughout the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 685 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 1,965 tonnes in 2020, representing a 2.9-fold increase. In 2020 alone, exports from Southern Asia jumped by 67.0% compared to the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a 53.8% drop, while 2019 recorded the largest increase at 71.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates were the top buyers of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from Southern Asia. Iraq accounted for 34.6% of exports in kind, with Indonesia and the UAE each contributing 9.5%. Together, these three countries made up 53.6% of total exports in kind during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export values dipped to a minimum of 1,471 thousand US dollars in 2018 before climbing to a maximum of 3,074 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 2.1-fold difference. In 2020, the value of exports from Southern Asia rose by 71.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2018 at 22.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iraq, Indonesia, and Malaysia led as the primary buyers of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from Southern Asia in value terms. Iraq dominated with 41.3% of exports, followed by Indonesia at 7.7% and Malaysia at 6.2%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 55.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes peaked in 2018 at 71,292 tonnes, then plummeted to a trough in 2020, creating a 105-fold gap. In 2020, Southern Asia imported a minimal amount of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, down by 98.4% from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 52.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan effectively monopolised imports in kind of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to Southern Asia, capturing 97.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values reached their highest point in 2018 at 42,641 thousand US dollars and fell to their lowest in 2020, reflecting a 10.9-fold gap. In 2020, Southern Asia imported approximately 3,923 thousand US dollars worth of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, indicating a steep year-over-year decline of 84.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 44.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, oil seeds and oleaginous fruits imported to Southern Asia were supplied almost exclusively by Kazakhstan, which absorbed 90.4% of total imports in value terms.

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

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