Virgin olive oil and fractions market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The North African market for virgin olive oil opened the period with consumption of 395 000 t in 2018, which increased to 436 000 t in 2019. A contraction followed, with the market volume falling to 368 000 t in 2020 and further to 299 000 t in 2021.

A recovery began in 2022, lifting the market to 381 000 t, and accelerated in 2023 to reach 468 000 t. This growth phase coincided with severe droughts that reduced global olive oil output by 25% in the 2022/23 season, tightening supply and triggering a sharp price increase. The production decline in North Africa, coupled with a near-halt in exports, directed more oil to the domestic market.

Throughout these years, stringent standards for 'virgin' and 'extra virgin' grades, requiring mechanical extraction without chemical treatment, shaped local production practices. Consumer preferences increasingly polarized between price-sensitive segments and quality-focused buyers seeking extra virgin or organic oils, influencing market segmentation.

Production virgin olive oil and fractions in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of virgin olive oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of virgin olive oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Northern Africa's production of virgin olive oil and fractions has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 731.1 thousand tons, marking a 20.2% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 66.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Northern Africa's production value of virgin olive oil and fractions has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 643 million US dollars, showing a moderate decrease of 5.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value fell by 14.6%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 5.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 253 million US dollars. The largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 22.7% decrease, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 17.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports virgin olive oil and fractions from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market. From 2017 to 2020, exports varied by a factor of 3.9 between the highest and lowest points. In 2020, cross-border shipments from Northern Africa reached 366.7 thousand tons, a sharp increase of 108.6% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019 at 17.9%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 129.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Spain, Italy, and the United States—accounted for 81.6% of Northern Africa's total exports of virgin olive oil and fractions by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. From 2017 to 2020, exports varied by a factor of 2 between the low and high points. In 2020, shipments from Northern Africa were valued at 824.2 million US dollars, representing a significant uptick of 63.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 37.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 96.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top destinations for Northern Africa's exports of virgin olive oil and fractions by value were Spain (34.6% of total value), Italy (24.0%), and the United States (17.7%). Together, these three countries made up 76.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports virgin olive oil and fractions to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of virgin olive oil and fractions into Northern Africa have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 3.5 thousand tons, a 13.5% decrease from 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports fell by 24.8%, with an average annual decline of 9.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 7.7 thousand tons. The largest drop was in 2019 at 46.8%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 63.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain (32.1% of imports by volume), Syria (9.6%), and Italy (6.6%) were the largest suppliers of virgin olive oil and fractions to Northern Africa. However, their combined share was only 48.4% of total imports, reflecting a diversified supplier structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of virgin olive oil and fractions into Northern Africa were valued at 14.6 million US dollars, showing an 8.0% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 46.7%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 18.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 13.5 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 34.0 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 60.3%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 24.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (31.8% of imports by value), Syria (9.6%), and Italy (7.3%) played a notable but not dominant role as suppliers of virgin olive oil and fractions to Northern Africa. Their combined share reached only 48.6% of total import value.

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

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