Rapeseed oilcake market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The rapeseed oilcake market in Sub-Saharan Africa expanded significantly from 2018 to 2023, with market volume growing from 61.7 thousand tons to 118.0 thousand tons, an increase of 91%. Domestic production mirrored this rise, reaching 117.7 thousand tons in 2023 from 62.4 thousand tons in 2018, while imports and exports both declined, indicating a shift toward greater self-sufficiency.

This growth was supported by investments in new production facilities. In 2020, the construction of large-scale edible oil complexes in Ethiopia aimed to satisfy most of the national demand for cooking oil, with by-products like oilcake boosting feed ingredient output. The expansion of crushing capacity directly increased the supply of rapeseed oilcake as a co-product.

By 2024, the market's development continued with policy-driven investments in oilseed processing, such as tax exemptions and subsidies for farmers in Egypt, which encouraged domestic crushing. Additionally, the entry of global agribusiness player Bunge into a Nigerian joint venture for advanced biodiesel blends highlighted diversification into value-added uses, further integrating oilcake production into the regional bioeconomy.

Production rapeseed oilcake in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of rapeseed oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed oilcake, 2017-2020

Sub-Saharan Africa's rapeseed oilcake production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 75,700 tonnes of rapeseed oilcake, marking a 6.2% year-over-year rise. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 3.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 62,380 tonnes. That year also saw the largest drop of 20.4%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 14.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Sub-Saharan Africa's rapeseed oilcake production value has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at $17,605,000, reflecting a controlled gain of 9.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 6.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $11,226,000. That year saw the largest decline of 32.2%, while 2019 had the biggest increase at 43.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports rapeseed oilcake from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

Rapeseed oilcake exports from Sub-Saharan Africa have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 3,437 tonnes, showing a modest fall of 7.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 82.3%, with an average annual decline of 43.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam, China, and the United Arab Emirates were the largest buyers of rapeseed oilcake from Sub-Saharan Africa in volume terms, but they did not dominate the market. Vietnam accounted for 18.3% of exports, China for 17.3%, and the UAE for 6.5%. Together, these three countries made up 42.1% of total exports, with the rest distributed among numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Exported rapeseed oilcake values from Sub-Saharan Africa have fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at $799,000, down by 4.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 80.5%, equating to an average annual decline of 42.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of rapeseed oilcake exports in value terms was highly diversified. Vietnam accounted for 15.7% of exports, China for 15.2%, and the United Arab Emirates for 7.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 38.4% of total export value, while the remaining 61.6% was spread across many smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports rapeseed oilcake to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import levels varied significantly, with a 4-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa imported 1,137 tonnes of rapeseed oilcake, indicating a sharp decrease of 38.9% year-over-year. The peak was in 2018 at 4,532 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 59.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 87.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Portugal, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia were the three largest markets for rapeseed oilcake imports in volume terms, together accounting for 8.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports varied by 4.6 times from a high in 2018 to a low in 2020. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa's rapeseed oilcake import value reached $549,000, showing a sharp drop of 69.2% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at $2,550,000. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 273.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, the United Arab Emirates, and India were the main markets for rapeseed oilcake imports in value terms. Portugal accounted for 53.2% of imports, the UAE for 3.3%, and India for 3.3%. Together, these three countries made up 59.9% of total import value.

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

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