Palm-kernel oilcake market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The palm-kernel oilcake market in Sub-Saharan Africa experienced pronounced volatility between 2018 and 2023. Market volume more than doubled to 553 thousand tons in 2019 from 355 thousand tons the previous year, then contracted sharply to 353 thousand tons in 2020. A gradual recovery ensued, with volume reaching 393 thousand tons in 2021 and 2022, before advancing to 412 thousand tons in 2023.

This trajectory was shaped by contrasting movements in production and trade. Domestic output grew steadily each year, rising from 377 thousand tons in 2018 to 466 thousand tons in 2023. Meanwhile, imports spiked to 199 thousand tons in 2019, fueling the market peak, but collapsed to less than 10 thousand tons annually from 2021 onward. Exports varied from 46 to 73 thousand tons, influencing net supply.

By the end of the period, the market had stabilized around 410 thousand tons, supported entirely by expanding local production as import volumes remained negligible and exports continued to find overseas buyers.

Production palm-kernel oilcake in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of palm-kernel oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of palm-kernel oilcake, 2017-2020

Palm-kernel oilcake production in Sub-Saharan Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 406.3 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.5% year-on-year rise. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After a two-year decline, palm-kernel oilcake production in Sub-Saharan Africa rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 30 975 thousand US dollars, showing a strong increase of 19.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 7.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 25 839 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 8.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports palm-kernel oilcake from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decrease, palm-kernel oilcake exports from Sub-Saharan Africa increased. In 2020, exports totaled 64.6 thousand tonnes, up by 40.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 14.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 46.0 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 23.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Portugal, Turkey, and Norway—collectively accounted for 71.7% of total palm-kernel oilcake exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in volume terms.

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, K $ US

After a two-year decline, palm-kernel oilcake exports from Sub-Saharan Africa saw an increase. In 2020, export value reached 4 926 thousand US dollars, a significant 65.8% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 19.9%, equating to an annualized rate of -7.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 971 thousand US dollars, which also had the largest decline of 34.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Turkey, and Italy were the main partners for palm-kernel oilcake exports in value terms, accounting for 35.2%, 11.9%, and 8.9% of total exports, respectively. Together, they represented 56.0% of all 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 palm-kernel oilcake to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Imports peaked in 2019 at 198.8 thousand tonnes and reached their lowest point in 2017, with a 216-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa imported a total of {value_last_year} thousand tonnes of palm-kernel oilcake, which is 94.3% less than the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 4 066.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia was the primary supplier of palm-kernel oilcake to Sub-Saharan Africa, consistently accounting for 1.3% of total imports in volume terms.

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, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Imports reached their highest value in 2019 at 30 074 thousand US dollars and their lowest in 2017, with a 25-fold change between these points. In 2020, palm-kernel oilcake imports into Sub-Saharan Africa amounted to 2 293 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp decrease of 92.4% compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 452.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia remained the main and most stable source for imports in value terms, accounting for 3.0% of total flows.

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