Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Zambia contracted significantly from 25 261 t in 2018 to a low of 17 424 t in 2020, before recovering steadily to reach 29 272 t by 2023. This V-shaped trajectory reflects both domestic production challenges and shifting trade patterns during the period.

Domestic production fell from 24 800 t in 2018 to around 20 100 t in 2020, constraining local supply. At the same time, net imports turned negative after 2019 as exports grew rapidly, peaking at 6 447 t in 2022. The market rebound from 2021 onward was driven primarily by a recovery in production, which expanded to 31 800 t in 2023, reducing reliance on imports.

By 2023, production had stabilized at over 31 000 t, while exports remained substantial, indicating a shift toward a more export-oriented industry. The market volume growth in 2022 and 2023 was supported by this increased domestic output, despite lower import levels.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Zambia

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

Zambia's production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 20 100 tonnes, marking a 1.0% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 24.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 8.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in Zambia was valued at 22 794 thousand US dollars, representing a 13.3% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 16.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 20 123 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 28 188 thousand US dollars. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 28.6% decline.

Annual dynamics of production in Zambia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from Zambia

Exports in kind, t

Zambia's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 4 526 tonnes, showing a substantial 39.2% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 344.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 64.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure in kind was heavily dominated by a single market: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which accounted for 92.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Zambia's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 5 132 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 59.2% increase from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 392.9%, with an average annual rate of 70.2%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the country structure of exports in value terms was highly concentrated, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone making up 92.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to Zambia

Imports in kind, t

The market for imports showed significant volatility during these years. Imports peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, Zambia imported 1 849 tonnes of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions, indicating a sharp 66.3% decrease from 2019. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 5 485 tonnes, with the largest increase also occurring that year at 123.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the primary source for imports in kind, capturing 81.4% of total flows, while the remaining volume was distributed among various other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. There was a threefold variation between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2020. In 2020, the value of imported sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions in Zambia stood at 1 875 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 66.3% decline from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 562 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also in 2019 at 157.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa remained the leading market for imports in value terms, holding an 80.1% share of total flows, while the rest was spread across multiple other destinations.

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

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