Sunflower-seed oilcake market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the sunflower-seed oilcake market in Sub-Saharan Africa was underpinned by substantial production in South Africa and Tanzania, though challenges such as a lack of high-yielding seeds raised costs. By 2019, market volume grew to 979 thousand tons, largely driven by a surge in imports. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought lockdowns and trade barriers, reducing demand in the foodservice sector and contributing to a slight market contraction to 968 thousand tons.

Post-pandemic recovery in 2021 pushed market volume to a peak of 1,086 thousand tons, supported by increased domestic production. However, the market subsequently declined in 2022 and 2023, falling to 898 thousand tons as imports dropped and exports rose. By 2023, expanding internet access and e-commerce platforms began to enhance product distribution, yet broader market pressures persisted.

Entering 2024, initiatives such as Archer Daniels Midland's partnership with a South African agricultural cooperative aimed to boost sunflower seed production. Government measures in Egypt and elsewhere, including tax exemptions and subsidies for local oilseed processors, encouraged domestic crushing. However, high inflation in Nigeria and ongoing global supply constraints for sunflower oil presented continued challenges for the oilcake market.

Production sunflower-seed oilcake in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2017-2020

Sub-Saharan Africa's sunflower-seed oilcake production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 981.0 K t, marking an 11.9% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 14.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.6%.

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

Exports sunflower-seed oilcake from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 59.8 K t, while the highest was in 2020 at 131.9 K t, representing a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports increased by 20.7% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 46.4%, whereas the biggest increase was in 2019, surging by 82.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India and the United Arab Emirates were the key export destinations, accounting for 20.2% of total export flows.

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

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The minimum export value was in 2017, while the maximum was in 2018, with a 2.3-fold variation between them. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa's sunflower-seed oilcake exports totaled 31 475 K $ US, a 32.5% increase from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 53 707 K $ US. The largest decline happened in 2019, falling by 55.8%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, jumping by 132.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India and the United Arab Emirates were the main destinations for exports in value terms, together making up 10.1% of total flows.

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 sunflower-seed oilcake to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 84.2 K t and peaked in 2019 at 212.1 K t, showing a 2.5-fold shift. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa imported a total of value_last_year} K t of sunflower-seed oilcake, which was a sharp 44.0% reduction from 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 151.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina, Portugal, and France were the principal suppliers of sunflower-seed oilcake to Sub-Saharan Africa. Argentina accounted for 32.4% of imports in kind, Portugal for 0.9%, and France for 0.6%, with their combined share reaching 34.0% 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 over this period. The lowest import value was in 2018 at 22 416 K $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 48 976 K $ US, reflecting a 2.2-fold gap. In 2020, sunflower-seed oilcake imports into Sub-Saharan Africa stood at 28 262 K $ US, a dramatic 42.3% decrease compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, climbing by 118.5%.

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

In the years 2017 to 2020, Argentina, Portugal, and France played notable roles as suppliers in value terms, though not dominant ones. Argentina contributed 37.2% of imports in value terms, Portugal 1.9%, and France 1.0%, with their joint share totaling 40.1% of overall imports.

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