Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the market volume for oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Sub-Saharan Africa stood at 1 267 thousand tons. By 2019, it increased to 1 278 thousand tons, supported by the region's shift in agricultural exports away from cocoa toward oil seeds, which encouraged production. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the market volume to 1 256 thousand tons as disruptions highlighted the strategic importance of local production for food security.

After a slight rise to 1 260 thousand tons in 2021, the market expanded significantly to 1 313 thousand tons in 2022. This growth coincided with the integration of oil seeds into innovative crop rotation systems in southern Africa, aimed at improving soil health and reducing fertilizer use. In 2023, the market volume stabilized at 1 317 thousand tons, while increased Russian exports of oil seeds to Africa influenced supply conditions.

By 2024, the region saw continued development in oil seed production, such as a fivefold increase in soybean output in Togo since 2015, pointing to further potential market expansion amid improving economic prospects.

Production oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Sub-Saharan 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

Sub-Saharan Africa's production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits saw a decline after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, the region produced 1 464 thousand tons, marking a modest 8.1% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 5.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 1 594 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.3%.

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

Exports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits totaled 219.4 thousand tons, showing a sharp decline of 31.2% compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 35.5%, translating to an average annual drop of 13.6%. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 at 34.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 42.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark, India, and the United States were the primary destinations for Sub-Saharan Africa's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in volume terms. Denmark accounted for 56.4% of exports, India for 8.1%, and the United States for 4.7%, together making up 69.2% of the total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Sub-Saharan Africa's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in value terms declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 151.9 million US dollars, representing a 27.8% drop from the previous year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 49.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 210.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 58.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Denmark, India, and the United States were the main markets for Sub-Saharan Africa's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in value terms. Denmark contributed 52.1% of export value, India 8.9%, and the United States 8.0%, together accounting for 69.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Sub-Saharan Africa showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports stood at 11.4 thousand tons, marking a steep increase of 221.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 22.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia and China were the top sources for Sub-Saharan Africa's imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in volume terms, though their combined share was relatively small at 1.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Import values for oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Sub-Saharan Africa exhibited notable volatility between 2017 and 2020. The lowest point was in 2019, and the peak was in 2020, with a 3.1-fold difference. In 2020, imports totaled 8.8 million US dollars, showing a steep increase of 210.9% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 18.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Turkey, and the Netherlands were the largest suppliers of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms. China accounted for 6.5% of import value, Turkey for 2.9%, and the Netherlands for 2.5%, together making up 11.9% of total imports. This reflects a diversified import structure with contributions from multiple countries.

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

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