Sunflower-seed oilcake market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

Production of sunflower-seed oilcake in Tanzania expanded from 352 thousand tons in 2018 to 436 thousand tons in 2023, supported by consistent government policy and investment in the processing sector. The introduction of VAT exemptions on agricultural processing equipment and sunflower seed cake in 2020 aimed to stimulate domestic investment, which was followed by the widespread adoption of improved, locally produced hybrid seeds that increased raw material availability. This foundational support was later reinforced by the formation of micro- and small-scale producer clusters in 2022 to invest in shared storage, cleaning, and refining facilities, enhancing overall sector productivity.

Domestic market volume experienced significant fluctuations, primarily driven by changes in export levels. A notable surge in sunflower-related exports in 2019 contributed to higher oilcake shipments abroad, temporarily reducing domestic availability to 264 thousand tons. Subsequently, a combination of sustained production growth and lower export volumes in 2020 and 2021 allowed the local market to recover, reaching 348 thousand tons. However, a renewed increase in exports in 2022 again diverted supply from the home market, bringing volume down to 315 thousand tons before it stabilized near this level in 2023.

The sector's development has been accompanied by continuous strategic focus, including government efforts to increase local oilseed production to curb import dependence, with specific recommendations in 2023 for temporary VAT exemptions on sunflower cake. Ongoing fiscal incentives for processing equipment and access to finance, noted into 2024, aim to solidify these gains, while industry attention has also turned to addressing quality challenges such as aflatoxin contamination identified in small-scale processing.

Production sunflower-seed oilcake in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania ranked as the world's 11th largest producer of sunflower-seed oilcake.

Top producers of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2017-2020

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

Sunflower-seed oilcake production in Tanzania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Tanzania produced 385.7 thousand tons of sunflower-seed oilcake, marking a gradual rise of 4.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 11.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Tanzania in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports sunflower-seed oilcake from Tanzania

Exports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest export volume occurred in 2018 at 59.0 thousand tons, while the highest was recorded in 2019 at 105.1 thousand tons, representing a peak-to-trough ratio of 1.8 times. In 2020, Tanzania exported 88.9 thousand tons of sunflower-seed oilcake, a decline of 15.4% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 19.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 78.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of exports in kind was primarily determined by Kenya and India, which together accounted for 99.4% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Export values reached their lowest point in 2017 and hit their maximum in 2018, with an amplitude of 3.2 times between these years. In 2020, Tanzania exported 21 896 thousand US dollars of sunflower-seed oilcake, a sudden rise of 54.2% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 41 477 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 65.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 219.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms was highly concentrated on Kenya and India, which jointly accounted for 99.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sunflower-seed oilcake to Tanzania

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with the low occurring in 2018 and the high in 2020, showing a 130-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tanzania's sunflower-seed oilcake imports totaled 0.0 thousand tons, representing a 94.4% reduction compared with 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine played the leading role in imports in kind, with a share of 84.2% of total flows, while other markets together accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports varied from a low in 2018 to a high in 2020, with a 44-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tanzania's sunflower-seed oilcake import volumes reached 4 thousand US dollars, showing a decline of 62.2% versus the previous year.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Ukraine played the leading role in imports in value terms, with a share of 88.8% of total flows, while other markets together accounted for the rest.

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

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