Palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions market in Senegal

Earlier Report Observations

The market for palm kernel or babassu oil in Senegal saw significant fluctuation between 2018 and 2023. It expanded by 25% to nearly 5 000 tons in 2019, largely due to a sharp increase in imports. This peak was followed by a multi-year contraction, reducing the market volume to 3 559 tons by 2022. A modest recovery to 3 834 tons occurred in 2023. The state-owned Société Nationale de Commercialisation des Oléagineux du Sénégal (SONACOS) remained a central player throughout, influencing the oilseeds supply chain.

Key developments included a World Bank-funded restructuring of the major oil processor Suneor in 2021, which aimed to reshape domestic production capabilities. That same year, competition from imported milk powders containing palm oil was noted as a factor pressuring local oil demand. Regulatory changes continued with the adoption of a new Environmental Code in August 2023, setting stricter rules for vegetable oil production and processing.

In 2024, authorities moved to impose price ceilings on refined palm oil to protect consumer purchasing power and stabilize the market. These measures were accompanied by efforts to secure groundnut supplies for local oil mills and initiatives to promote domestic palm cultivation, highlighting the ongoing focus on regulating the sector and supporting local production.

Production palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions in Senegal

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, Senegal produced 3 404 tonnes of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, showing no significant change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 7.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The highest production was recorded in 2018 at 3 780 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 2.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 10.0%.

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

Exports palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions from Senegal

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with an 8.9-fold difference between these years. In 2019, exports of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions from Senegal totaled 0.3 tonnes, down 87.4% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 788.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cabo Verde dominated Senegal's export structure in kind, accounting for 80.7% of total flows, while other destinations had relatively small shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports were at their lowest in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 6.2-fold variation between these years. In 2019, exports of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions from Senegal amounted to 1 thousand US dollars, up 522.3% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.2 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 63.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Canada and France accounted for 90.0% of Senegal's total exports in value terms, with the remaining share distributed among other destinations with smaller individual contributions.

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

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

Imports palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions to Senegal

Imports in kind, t

The import data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports were at their lowest in 2018 and reached their highest in 2019, with a 7.6-fold gap between these years. In 2020, imports of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions into Senegal stood at 844 tonnes, down 46.7% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 207 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 71.3%. The maximum value was in 2019 at 1 583 tonnes, which experienced the largest increase of 663.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire (46.9% of imports in kind), Ghana (23.0% of imports in kind), and Liberia (13.5% of imports in kind) were the top suppliers of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions to Senegal, with their combined share reaching 83.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the import market during these years. Imports were at their minimum in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.9-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Senegal's imports of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions amounted to 732 thousand US dollars, representing a significant decline of 40.4% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 252 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 78.9%. The maximum value was in 2019 at 1 228 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest increase of 386.9%.

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

In 2017–2020, Côte d'Ivoire (53.2% of imports in value terms), Ghana (18.5% of imports in value terms), and Liberia (12.6% of imports in value terms) formed the main group of sources for Senegal's imports in value terms of palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, with a combined share of 84.3% of total flows.

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

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