Market research

Palm nuts and kernels market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for palm nuts and kernels in Eastern Africa increased from 182.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 188.9 thousand tons in 2021. This growth was supported by the entry of major players like Wilmar International, which partnered with local firms to develop large-scale palm oil plantations, and by research indicating the region's potential for oil palm expansion. Concurrently, rising consumer demand for organic and health-promoting food products, including nuts, encouraged higher consumption.

After peaking in 2021, the market volume stabilized around 188 thousand tons, edging down to 186.8 thousand tons by 2023. Transport costs, which significantly affect retail prices of agricultural goods, likely tempered further expansion, while ongoing regional palm oil projects continued to provide technical spillover and support. The regulatory environment, notably the Crops Act of 2013 that restricts export of unprocessed nuts, helped maintain most production within the domestic market.

Overall, the period saw modest market growth driven by investment in production capacity and shifting consumer preferences, followed by a phase of stabilization as logistical factors and sustained regional initiatives balanced the market dynamics.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production palm nuts and kernels in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of palm nuts and kernels, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of palm nuts and kernels, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Palm nuts and kernels production in Eastern Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 183.6 thousand tonnes, showing only a negligible variation compared to the previous year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.3%	0.3%	0.3%	0.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports palm nuts and kernels from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Palm nuts and kernels exports from Eastern Africa have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 29.1 tonnes, which represents a significant 54.4% increase from the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 864%, with a compound annual growth rate of 112.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	243.5%	81.8%	54.4%	112.8%

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, $ US

Palm nuts and kernels shipments from Eastern Africa to international markets have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 60 933 US dollars' worth, reflecting a steep 25.8% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 187.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 42.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	55.7%	46.8%	25.8%	42.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—South Africa, Germany, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo—collectively accounted for 20.4% of the total export value of palm nuts and kernels from Eastern Africa.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports palm nuts and kernels to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports dropped to a low of 6.2 tonnes in 2018, then surged by 365.4% in 2019, before declining by 52.0% to 13.9 tonnes in 2020 compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with an 83.2% decrease, and overall, imports varied by six times from the high in 2017 to the low in 2018.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(83.2%)	365.4%	(52.0%)	(27.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (45.2% of imports by volume), Malaysia (14.0%), and India (12.6%) remained the top suppliers of palm nuts and kernels to Eastern Africa, together representing 71.8% of total imports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, $ US

After a two-year decline, Eastern Africa's imports of palm nuts and kernels increased. In 2020, the region imported 6 925 US dollars' worth, marking an abrupt 51.5% uptick from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 21.3%, with an annualized rate of -7.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 571 US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 44.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(44.8%)	(5.9%)	51.5%	(7.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—India, the United Arab Emirates, and France—collectively accounted for 62.4% of the total import value of palm nuts and kernels to Eastern Africa.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io