Market research

Palm nuts and kernels market in SADC

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"SADC" region includes following countries:

Angola

Botswana

Comoros

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Eswatini

Lesotho

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Namibia

Seychelles

South Africa

Tanzania

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for palm nuts and kernels in SADC expanded by 5.8% in 2019 to 2 399 thousand tons, up from 2 268 thousand tons in 2018. A downturn followed in 2020, with volume falling 3.7% to 2 310 thousand tons.

From 2021 onward, production entered a phase of stability, fluctuating narrowly between 2 329 thousand tons and 2 346 thousand tons. While consumer trends toward plant-based diets supported demand for nuts globally, the palm nuts and kernels market in SADC maintained a consistent output level through 2023.

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 SADC
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in SADC 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 Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola 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 Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola 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/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
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 Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola 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 Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola 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/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
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 Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola 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 Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola 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/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
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 Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola 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 Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola 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/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
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 SADC

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

After rising for two consecutive years, palm nuts and kernels production in SADC declined. In 2020, production reached 2 310 K t, marking a 3.7% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.4%, which translates to an average annual increase of 0.8%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 2 399 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase of 5.8% also occurring that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.5%	5.8%	(3.7%)	0.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports palm nuts and kernels from SADC

Exports in kind, kg

The data shows irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export volumes varied significantly, with a 598-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2018. In 2020, SADC's palm nuts and kernels exports totaled 17 197 kg, representing a sharp year-on-year decline of 39.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 43 873 kg, which also saw the largest increase of 59 746.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from SADC in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	59 746.3%	(35.7%)	(39.1%)	516.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda was the leading buyer of palm nuts and kernels from SADC, accounting for 58.4% of total exports in volume terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. There was a 6-fold variation between the minimum in 2020 and the maximum in 2018. In 2020, the value of palm nuts and kernels exported from SADC amounted to 6.5 K $ US, showing a significant year-on-year drop of 67.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 39.0 K $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 153.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	153.9%	(49.5%)	(67.2%)	(25.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017–2020, Uganda remained the single largest buyer of palm nuts and kernels from SADC, capturing 3.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports palm nuts and kernels to SADC

Imports in kind, kg

SADC's palm nuts and kernels import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 90 264 kg, reflecting a substantial advance of 192.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 1 313%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 141.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to SADC in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	23.7%	290.1%	192.8%	141.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, imports of palm nuts and kernels to SADC were widely distributed across partner countries. Indonesia (19.6% of imports in volume), Singapore (14.1%), and China (11.7%) together accounted for only 45.3% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values reached their maximum in 2018 and fell to a minimum in 2017, with a 16-fold shift between these years. In 2020, SADC imported palm nuts and kernels worth 6.5 K $ US, equivalent to a year-on-year decline of 45.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 808.1 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 1 514.2%. The largest decrease occurred in 2019, with a drop of 73.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1 514.2%	(73.7%)	(45.9%)	32.0%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, Costa Rica dominated imports in value terms, accounting for 73.8% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io