Soybean oil and fractions market in Israel

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Israeli soybean oil market reached 78 646 metric tons, supported by a consumer trend toward healthier and more sophisticated foods, including soy-based products. This preference for premium and healthy options helped maintain demand within the vegetable oils sector. Over the next two years, the market gradually contracted, falling to 73 960 metric tons in 2019 and further to 69 551 metric tons by 2020.

A sharp decline in domestic production to 46 500 metric tons in 2021 led the overall market to drop to 62 928 metric tons, even as imports surged to 16 736 metric tons to partially offset the shortfall. The following year saw a recovery, with production rising to 57 300 metric tons and imports remaining high at 15 262 metric tons, pushing the total market volume back up to 72 256 metric tons in 2022.

The market shrank again to 59 766 metric tons in 2023. This decrease coincided with a 90% cut in import duties on olive oil implemented in Israel during the same year. The regulatory change made olive oil more price-competitive, likely shifting some consumer demand away from soybean oil and reducing its market volume.

Production soybean oil and fractions in Israel

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of soybean oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of soybean oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Israel's production of soybean oil and fractions declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 65 800 tonnes, marking an 8.4% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 12.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Israel in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports soybean oil and fractions from Israel

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, showing a 5.7-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Israel exported 221 tonnes of soybean oil and fractions, representing a sharp 76.2% decline from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cyprus and China were the primary destinations for Israel's soybean oil and fractions exports, together accounting for 97.2% of total shipments. The remaining volume was distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated volatility throughout the observed period. Export values hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 4.1-fold difference. In 2020, soybean oil and fractions exports from Israel totaled 165 000 US dollars, a 75.4% decrease compared to 2019.

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

During 2017-2020, Israel's soybean oil and fractions exports in value terms were primarily directed to Cyprus and China, which together made up 96.6% of total flows. Other destinations played a minor role.

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

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

Imports soybean oil and fractions to Israel

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a 2.6-fold difference. In 2020, soybean oil and fractions imports to Israel totaled 3 971 tonnes, an 83.8% increase year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 160 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 42.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands were the core sources for Israel's soybean oil and fractions imports, accounting for 39.2%, 30.5%, and 19.6% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 89.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Import values dropped to their minimum in 2019 and peaked in 2017, showing a 2.3-fold shift. In 2020, foreign soybean oil and fractions supplies to Israel amounted to 3 904 000 US dollars, an 88.2% increase from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 074 000 US dollars, with the largest decline also in 2019 at 39.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands—collectively accounted for 88.5% of Israel's total soybean oil and fractions imports in value terms.

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

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