Palm-kernel oilcake market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, palm-kernel oilcake production in West Africa grew steadily from 309.5 thousand tons to 371.4 thousand tons. This increase was supported by the entry of new industrial processors like Siat and Dekel Oil, which expanded local operations, and by the ongoing enlargement of large-scale oil palm plantations across the region. The total market volume reached a peak of 473.0 thousand tons in 2019, driven by a surge in imports to meet rising regional demand for animal feed ingredients.

Government initiatives further bolstered the sector's capacity. In 2020, Benin launched its National Oil Palm Development Program, backed by over 6 billion CFA francs in funding to modernize cultivation and disseminate higher-yielding, disease-resistant hybrid varieties. These efforts, coupled with intensified investments from multinational agribusiness firms after 2021, enhanced processing efficiency and by-product output.

The consistent growth was fundamentally anchored by the valorization of palm-kernel cake as a key protein source in animal feed. This demand, alongside improvements in smallholder productivity and the structural expansion of the industrial segment, ensured production continued its upward trend even as market volume stabilized around 300 thousand tons after the exceptional import year of 2019.

Production palm-kernel oilcake in Western 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

Western Africa's palm-kernel oilcake production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 331.1 K t, which is a 1.1% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 13.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, Western Africa's palm-kernel oilcake production value rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 24 170 K $ US, showing a significant 21.8% increase compared to 2019. The lowest value was in 2019 at 19 837 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 13.3%.

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

Exports palm-kernel oilcake from Western Africa

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of losses, Western Africa's palm-kernel oilcake export volumes have increased. In 2020, exports reached 67.2 K t, a steep 38.5% rise from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 8.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 48.5 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 20.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Turkey, and Norway were the main destinations for palm-kernel oilcake exports in kind. Portugal accounted for 51.6% of exports, Turkey for 12.8%, and Norway for 7.7%, together making up 72.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decrease, Western Africa's palm-kernel oilcake export value has increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 4 903 K $ US, representing a 66.9% year-on-year gain. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 19.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.0%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 2 938 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 34.8%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Portugal, Turkey, and Italy led the structure of palm-kernel oilcake exports in value terms. Portugal contributed 35.5% of exports, Turkey 12.0%, and Italy 9.0%, together accounting for 56.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports palm-kernel oilcake to Western Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest import volume was in 2017, while the highest was in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 618 times. In 2020, Western Africa's palm-kernel oilcake imports totaled 8.1 K t, a sharp decline of 95.8% from 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 194.0 K t, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 11 073.8%.

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

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited significant fluctuations during this period. Imports varied by a factor of 626, from a low in 2017 to a high in 2019. In 2020, Western Africa's palm-kernel oilcake imports stood at 1 478 K $ US, marking a dramatic decrease of 94.9% from the previous year. The maximum value was in 2019 at 29 041 K $ US, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 12 576.9%.

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

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

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