Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market in Sudan

Earlier Report Observations

Sudan's production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits increased steadily from 9 812 t in 2018 to 13 390 t in 2023, driving the domestic market size up from 9 839 t to 13 360 t over the same five-year period. This growth of over 36% in output was the primary engine behind the market expansion, as the country relied mainly on its own harvests to meet demand.

International trade flows remained modest and volatile. Imports were negligible or absent in several years, while exports saw sharp variations, peaking at 222 t in 2021. These trade movements had a limited net effect on the overall market volume, which continued its upward trajectory fueled by domestic production gains.

In 2024, the Sudanese Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning renewed the state's commitment to prioritize spending on the agricultural sector for food security and small farmer support. Simultaneously, existing customs tariffs and local specifications for oil seeds continued to regulate product entry into the market.

Production oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Sudan

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

Sudan's production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 11 326 tonnes, marking a 7.0% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 19.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sudan in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from Sudan

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 0.0 tonnes, then surged to 30.4 tonnes in 2020, representing a dramatic increase of 67,477.8% compared to 2019. The peak was recorded in 2018, with a 1,626-fold difference between the maximum in 2018 and the minimum in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 99.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt was the primary buyer of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from Sudan, accounting for 70.6% of total exports in kind, while other partners held relatively modest shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatile behavior during these years. Exports in value terms dropped to their lowest in 2019 at 0.2 thousand US dollars, then climbed to 48.8 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a sharp increase of 26,814.2% from the previous year. The peak was in 2018, with a 299-fold gap between the maximum in 2018 and the minimum in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 99.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the export structure in value terms was dominated by Egypt and Lebanon, which together made up 97.1% of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail.

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

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

Imports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to Sudan

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over this period. Imports in kind reached their highest in 2018 at 100.1 tonnes and fell to their lowest in 2020 at 0.0 tonnes, reflecting a 10,005-fold gap. In 2020, deliveries amounted to 0.0 tonnes, indicating a decrease of 16.7% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 100.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 75.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated Sudan's imports in kind of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, holding a 99.4% share of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable pattern throughout the timeframe. Imports in value terms peaked in 2018 at 408.3 thousand US dollars and hit their lowest in 2019 at 0.1 thousand US dollars, with a 3,919-fold difference. In 2020, imports amounted to 0.2 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant increase of 78.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019 at 100.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 207.5%.

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

Over 2017–2020, the United States accounted for nearly all of Sudan's imports in value terms of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, with a share of 99.6% of total flows.

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

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