Rapeseed market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The African rapeseed market entered the period with the development of eco-designed processing plants and sustainable supply chains, including a facility capable of handling over 600 thousand tonnes of rapeseed for oil, biodiesel, and meal production in Central Africa. This industrial base supported initial production levels, though both output and market volume dipped in 2019.

A significant expansion occurred in 2020, with production surging to 245 thousand tonnes and market volume reaching 253 thousand tonnes. The subsequent year saw production rise further, but market size contracted to 234 thousand tonnes as exports jumped sharply to 31 thousand tonnes. Steady growth resumed thereafter, with production reaching 302 thousand tonnes and market volume climbing to 279 thousand tonnes by 2023.

In the later years, factors such as the expansion of rapeseed cultivation areas in South Africa—growing around 8% annually since 2015—and fluctuations in international fertilizer prices influenced the production environment, while global commodity price movements and climatic conditions like El Niño-related heat waves were noted as shaping market prospects.

Production rapeseed in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rapeseed, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed, 2017-2020

In 2019, Africa's rapeseed production reached its lowest point at 166.5 thousand tonnes. However, by 2020, production had surged to 244.9 thousand tonnes, marking a significant 47.1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 40.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.1%. The most notable decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 6.6%.

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

Exports rapeseed from Africa

Exports in kind, t

Africa's rapeseed exports showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2018, exports peaked at 2,373 tonnes, but then plummeted to just 575 tonnes in 2019, representing a dramatic 75.8% decline. By 2020, exports rebounded to 954 tonnes, a sharp 65.7% year-over-year increase. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 4.1 between the high in 2018 and the low in 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 104.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia was the largest buyer of African rapeseed, accounting for 30.3% of exports by volume. Vietnam followed with 13.0%, and India with 2.3%. Together, these three countries represented 45.6% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base for African rapeseed.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Africa's rapeseed exports experienced noticeable fluctuations. In 2017, exports hit their lowest point, while they peaked in 2020 at 694 thousand US dollars, a sharp 51.1% increase year-over-year. Over this period, export values changed by 2.4 times. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 15.0%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 89.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia was the leading destination for African rapeseed exports by value, accounting for 47.1%. Vietnam followed with 15.3%, and Cambodia with 4.1%. Together, these three countries comprised 66.4% of total export value during this period.

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

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

Imports rapeseed to Africa

Imports in kind, t

Africa's rapeseed imports displayed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at 1,820 tonnes, but then surged to 9,417 tonnes in 2020, a massive 417.5% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2019, imports varied by a factor of 12.2. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 91.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria was the primary source of rapeseed imports to Africa by volume, accounting for 59.8%. France contributed 15.9%, and Argentina 5.7%. Together, these three countries supplied 81.3% of Africa's rapeseed imports by volume during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of Africa's rapeseed imports showed considerable instability. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at 4,018 thousand US dollars, a 68.3% decline from the previous year. By 2020, imports had risen to approximately 7,912 thousand US dollars, a sharp 32.0% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2018, import values varied by 3.2 times. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 49.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria was the main supplier of rapeseed to Africa by value, accounting for 31.4%. Australia followed with 19.1%, and Germany with 12.9%. Together, these three countries comprised 63.5% of total import value during this period.

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

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