Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

Production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Tanzania increased from 48 806 t in 2018 to 49 674 t in 2023, with a peak of 50 004 t in 2020. This gradual expansion was driven by sustained government support, including the allocation of USD 4.3 million to boost oil palm cultivation in 2020, the introduction of subsidized fertilizers and farmer mobilization programs in 2022, and the Ministry of Agriculture's distribution of 1 000 t of sunflower seeds in 2023 to scale up output. Additionally, diffusion of innovation in rural ventures, facilitated by improved electricity access and better oilseed quality, enhanced processing capacity for crops like sunflower.

The market size remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 48 000 t and 49 000 t, as higher production in some years was offset by rising exports, which reached 1 587 t in 2020. Domestic consumption was supported by growing health awareness, which increased demand for sesame seeds. Efforts to address raw material shortages, such as promoting drought-tolerant seeds and strategic regional planting, helped maintain supply for processing industries.

Continued initiatives in 2024 focused on extending seedling subsidies and fertilizer availability, alongside research into high-yielding and pest-resistant seed varieties to strengthen the sector's foundation and ensure consistent raw material for local oilseed processors.

Production oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania ranked 17th globally in the production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits.

Top producers of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, 2017-2020

Tanzania's production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 50 004 tonnes, marking a 1.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 3.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.3%.

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

Exports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from Tanzania

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 21 tonnes, while the highest was in 2020 at 1 587 tonnes, representing a 74-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports surged by 509.7% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 84.1%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 1 117.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Tanzania's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in volume terms were China (32.2% of exports), Turkey (25.1%), and South Africa (16.3%). Together, these three countries accounted for 73.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed notable volatility during these years. The lowest export value was in 2018 at 0.5 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2020 at 369.7 thousand US dollars, a 793-fold difference. In 2020, exports increased by 25.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018, with a decrease of 98.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a jump of 63 346.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top contributors to Tanzania's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in value terms were South Africa (36.3% of exports), Yemen (27.2%), and China (14.2%). Collectively, these three countries made up 77.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to Tanzania

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 1 tonne, while the highest was in 2017, with a 4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 4 tonnes, representing a sharp increase of 241.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 52.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key sources for Tanzania's imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in volume terms were India (22.1% of imports), the United Kingdom (19.9%), and China (17.8%). Together, these three countries accounted for 59.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. The lowest import value was in 2017, while the highest was in 2019, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 3.5 thousand US dollars, showing a gradual decline of 7.9% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 96.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Tanzania's imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in value terms were South Africa (35.3% of imports), India (18.3%), and Saudi Arabia (11.6%). These three countries jointly accounted for 65.2% of total import flows.

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

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