Sunflower-seed oilcake market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

Sunflower-seed oilcake production in Zambia showed significant variability from 2018 to 2021. Output fell from 45,920 t in 2018 to 32,649 t the following year, before rebounding strongly to reach 51,188 t in 2021. The available market volume followed a similar trajectory, declining to 30,582 t in 2019 and then recovering to 39,253 t in 2021.

After the 2021 peak, production eased to 43,100 t in 2022 and 42,100 t in 2023. The market volume contracted more sharply, dropping to 20,418 t in 2022 and 14,800 t in 2023. A nationwide drought during the 2023/2024 farming season adversely affected agricultural production, likely reducing the supply of sunflower seeds available for processing and contributing to the lower output of oilcake.

In 2024, key elements shaping the sector included the government's Farmer Input Support Programme, which provides inputs to small-scale farmers, and the Seed Control & Certification Institute's role in seed quality control. These mechanisms support the underlying production of oilseed crops, including sunflower, from which the oilcake is derived.

Production sunflower-seed oilcake in Zambia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2017-2020

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

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018, with a 4.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zambia produced 34 609 tonnes of sunflower-seed oilcake, representing a modest year-on-year increase of 6.0%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 45 920 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 28.9%, while the most substantial increase was in 2018, surging by 350.2%.

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

Exports sunflower-seed oilcake from Zambia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Zambia exported 3 293 tonnes of sunflower-seed oilcake, marking a significant increase of 59.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 48.6%, averaging an annualized rate of 14.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 068 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 17.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Zambia's sunflower-seed oilcake exports in volume terms were Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Namibia accounted for 43.0% of exports, South Africa for 26.4%, and Zimbabwe for 18.8%. Together, these three countries represented 88.3% of total export 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

Cross-border shipments of sunflower-seed oilcake from Zambia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 719.6 thousand US dollars, indicating a substantial rise of 64.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 93.9%, averaging an annualized rate of 24.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 338.3 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 8.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Zambia's sunflower-seed oilcake exports in value terms were Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Namibia accounted for 43.1% of export value, South Africa for 31.1%, and Zimbabwe for 13.9%. Collectively, these three markets represented 88.1% of total export 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-seed oilcake to Zambia

Imports in kind, t

Foreign sunflower-seed oilcake supplies to Zambia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports amounted to 0.2 tonnes, showing a sharp decrease of 84.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2019, imports fell by 91.1%, averaging an annualized decline rate of 55.4%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, China was the primary and nearly exclusive source for Zambia's sunflower-seed oilcake imports in volume terms, accounting for 94.6% of total import flows.

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

Foreign sunflower-seed oilcake supplies to Zambia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, Zambia imported 0.1 thousand US dollars worth of sunflower-seed oilcake, representing an intense decrease of 82.8% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2019, import value decreased by 89.4%, averaging an annualized decline rate of 52.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms were heavily concentrated on China, which accounted for 93.8% of total import flows.

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

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