Rapeseed market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, rapeseed production in Northern Africa showed steady growth, rising from 29 333 t to 31 491 t. Market size, reflecting domestic consumption, increased from 30 386 t to 32 992 t over the same period, though it dipped to 29 062 t in 2022 due to a substantial export volume of 3 930 t that year. The market rebounded in 2023 when exports fell to zero, allowing domestic availability to recover.

In 2024, imports into the region jumped sharply to 9 819 t. This surge coincided with a decline in European rapeseed production, which heightened global import demand, and with significant volatility in crude oil prices that influenced biodiesel feedstock markets worldwide, affecting trade flows and availability for importing regions like Northern Africa.

Production rapeseed in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of rapeseed, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed, 2017-2020

Northern Africa's rapeseed production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 30 839 tonnes of rapeseed, marking a moderate 4.6% rise compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.8%, which translates to an average annual increase of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 29 333 tonnes, representing the largest decline of 2.2% during this timeframe.

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

Exports rapeseed from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 25-fold difference between these years. In 2020, rapeseed exports from Northern Africa totaled 86 tonnes, reflecting a significant increase of 128.3% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 42.9%, while the most substantial rise was recorded in 2018 with a 1 806.6% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Northern Africa's rapeseed exports in volume terms were Norway, accounting for 44.5% of exports, the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 25.7%, and Chile with 13.4%. Together, these three countries represented 83.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatile behavior during these years. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 27 times. In 2020, rapeseed shipments from Northern Africa abroad amounted to 38 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate decrease of 4.2% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was reached in 2019 at 40 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 1 765.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary markets for Northern Africa's rapeseed exports in value terms were Norway, representing 35.7% of exports, the United Arab Emirates at 23.0%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo with 19.3%. Collectively, these three destinations accounted for 78.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports rapeseed to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Foreign rapeseed supplies to Northern Africa have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported a total of 1 541 tonnes of rapeseed, indicating a strong rise of 16.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 77.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for rapeseed imports in volume terms to Northern Africa were Canada, accounting for 35.0% of imports, Spain at 29.2%, and Ukraine with 26.0%. Together, these three countries made up 90.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imported rapeseed volumes to Northern Africa have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 2 084 thousand US dollars, up by 14.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 65.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 18.4%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for rapeseed imports in value terms to Northern Africa were Germany, representing 49.9% of imports, Canada at 14.4%, and France with 14.0%. These three countries jointly accounted for 78.3% of total import flows.

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

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