Palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, production of palm kernel or babassu oil in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remained relatively stable at around 2 000 tons per year. The market was characterized by small-scale producers dominating national output, while the industrial company Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC) operated major facilities producing both crude palm oil and palm kernel oil. In 2020, PHC reported producing approximately 45 000 tons of palm oil, underscoring the sector's latent potential despite a historical reliance on imports to meet domestic demand.

Production entered a phase of rapid expansion from 2021, soaring to 12 400 tons that year and reaching 16 400 tons by 2023. This growth was driven primarily by PHC's significant operational scaling. In 2023, the company increased its palm oil output by over 30% to 80 000 tons, a result of new management implementing rigorous financial transparency, complying with OHADA law and tax obligations, and investing in plant equipment and a biogas facility for electricity. PHC's parallel engagement in the national Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA-RDC) program, aimed at strengthening local agricultural production through certified improved seeds, provided further support for the sector's capacity buildup.

Production palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions in Democratic Republic of the Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo ranked as the world's 29th largest producer of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions.

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

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Production volumes varied significantly, with a 5.1-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo produced 2 169 tonnes of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, marking a moderate increase of 3.6% compared to 2019. The lowest production was recorded in 2018 at 2 053 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 80.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exports in kind, kg

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Throughout 2017–2020, the United States was the dominant and nearly exclusive destination for exports in kind of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, accounting for 99.8% of the total.

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

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, $ US

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States served as the primary market for palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, consistently absorbing 99.4% of total exports in value terms.

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

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Imports palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, kg

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 781-fold swing between these years. In 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo imported 50 kilograms of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, representing a sharp contraction of 99.9% from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 39 039 kilograms, which also saw the largest increase of 6 998.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Throughout 2017–2020, the United States and Belgium were the core markets for imports in kind, together making up 82.6% of total flows, while other destinations had relatively modest shares.

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

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, $ US

Volatility characterized market behavior during these years. Import levels fluctuated 122-fold between the high in 2019 and the low in 2020. In 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo imported approximately 443 US dollars worth of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, indicating a drop of 99.2% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 54 153 US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 12 085.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States consistently accounted for 70.5% of total imports in value terms, showing a high concentration on this market, with the remainder distributed among other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020