Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the market volume for sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil in Middle Africa more than doubled, rising from 29 428 t to 66 974 t. This expansion was primarily fueled by a dramatic increase in local production, which surged from 17 368 t to 52 419 t over the same period.

After a slight contraction in 2019 to 27 191 t, the market entered a phase of rapid growth, jumping by 35% in 2020 and then by 63% in 2021. Production levels nearly doubled in 2020 and again in 2021, indicating a strong shift toward domestic output. Imports, while fluctuating, remained a substantial component, particularly as they climbed to 14 561 t in 2023.

By 2024, imports continued this upward trend, reaching 20 026 t. During this year, agricultural expansion in Cameroon, with over 50 hectares dedicated to organic sunflower cultivation, aimed to enhance local oil production. Simultaneously, global sunflower oil shortages linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and adverse weather in key producing regions created supply pressures, influencing import volumes and prices.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Middle Africa's production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 27,946 tons, marking a 47.8% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 29.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 9.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 17,368 tons, with that year also seeing the largest decline of 19.6%.

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

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 at just 2 tons, which was a 93.2% drop from the previous year. In contrast, the peak occurred in 2018 with 228 tons, representing a massive 110-fold difference between the two years. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 6,069.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritania and Uganda were the key destinations for Middle Africa's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in kind, together accounting for 77.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports in value terms hit their lowest level in 2020 at 2,000 US dollars, reflecting a sharp decline of 93.5% compared to 2019. The peak was in 2018 with 110,000 US dollars, showing a 44-fold gap between these years. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 2,333.5%.

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

During 2017–2020, the largest buyers of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from Middle Africa in value terms were Mauritania (63.1% of exports), Namibia (2.7%), and Spain (1.7%). Together, these three countries made up 67.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Import volumes in kind were at their lowest in 2017, while the highest level was recorded in 2018 at 12,288 tons, resulting in a 1.8-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, imports reached 8,699 tons, up by 4.6% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 32.3%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 77.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for imports in kind of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to Middle Africa were Ukraine (23.0% of imports), Portugal (15.8%), and Turkey (13.4%). Combined, these three countries accounted for 52.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Import values in money terms were lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2018 at 19,311,000 US dollars, creating a 2.1-fold gap. In 2020, imports totaled 9,563,000 US dollars, showing a modest decrease of 4.4% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019 at 48.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 106.8%.

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

In the period 2017–2020, the principal suppliers of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to Middle Africa in value terms were Ukraine (20.2% of imports), Portugal (20.2%), and Turkey (14.6%). Together, they represented 55.0% of total import value.

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

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