Palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions market in Burundi

Earlier Report Observations

Burundi's market for palm kernel or babassu oil grew from 2 858 t in 2018 to 3 670 t in 2019, primarily due to the widespread replacement of older, less productive Dura palm varieties with higher-yielding Tenera strains, a transition overseen by the state-owned Office de l’Huile de Palme (OHP). This expansion was interrupted in 2020 when the market volume fell to 3 090 t after rising waters from Lake Tanganyika flooded and destroyed extensive palm groves along the shoreline, significantly reducing available raw material.

Government intervention through the National Program for Value Chain Development (PNDF), which allocated substantial funds to revive the palm sector, helped drive a recovery to 3 798 t in 2021. The market then stabilized around 3 770 t in 2022 and 2023 as OHP continued to support plantation modernization and local technician training, though seasonal production patterns and weather conditions influenced local supply and prices.

Production palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions in Burundi

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, 2017-2020

In 2020, Burundi produced 3 027 tonnes of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, marking a moderate year-on-year decrease of 9.7%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production overall increased by 11.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 616 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 3 353 tonnes. The most significant increase was observed in 2019, when production surged by 28.2%.

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

Exports palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions from Burundi

Exports in kind, t

Export performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2020, with exports dropping to 6.3 tonnes of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, representing a sharp 73.5% reduction compared to 2019. In contrast, exports peaked in 2018 at 37.9 tonnes, which was a 377.7% increase from the previous year. The gap between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2020 was sixfold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania was the dominant market for Burundi's exports in kind, accounting for 72.0% of total flows, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export volumes of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions from Burundi declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 0.4 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a steep year-on-year contraction of 98.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 99.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -88.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India remained the dominant partner for Burundi's exports in value terms of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, holding a 78.7% share of total flows, while other markets contributed the rest.

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

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

Imports palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions to Burundi

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020, falling to 70.1 tonnes of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, down by 79.4% from the previous year. In contrast, imports peaked in 2019 at 340.9 tonnes. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 32.9%. The difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2020 was 4.9 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo served as the main source for palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions imports to Burundi, consistently absorbing 95.9% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports peaked in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, with a 4.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the volume of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions imports to Burundi reached 68.8 thousand US dollars, down by 76.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 290.3 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 26.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo played a dominant role in imports in value terms of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions to Burundi, consistently accounting for 95.8% of total flows.

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

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