Africa: Beeswax Market 2025

Beeswax Market Size in Africa

The African beeswax market shrank slightly to $X in 2022, declining by -2.3% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Beeswax Production in Africa

In value terms, beeswax production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Ethiopia (X tons) remains the largest beeswax producing country in Africa, accounting for 32% of total volume. Moreover, beeswax production in Ethiopia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Kenya (X tons), twofold. Angola (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Ethiopia stood at +1.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kenya (+0.1% per year) and Angola (+0.1% per year).

Beeswax Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, the amount of beeswax exported in Africa rose slightly to X tons, increasing by 1.9% compared with 2021 figures. Overall, exports, however, showed a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 54% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, beeswax exports amounted to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 50% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Tanzania (X tons), distantly followed by Togo (X tons), Cameroon (X tons), Kenya (X tons), Ethiopia (X tons), Nigeria (X tons), Burkina Faso (X tons) and Central African Republic (X tons) were the main exporters of beeswax, together comprising 86% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Burkina Faso (with a CAGR of +24.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Tanzania ($X), Togo ($X) and Kenya ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 53% of total exports. Cameroon, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Burkina Faso and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

Among the main exporting countries, Burkina Faso, with a CAGR of +24.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, almost unchanged from the previous year. Export price indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, beeswax export price decreased by -4.2% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 53% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tanzania ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Beeswax Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, after four years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of beeswax, when their volume decreased by -24.1% to X tons. Overall, imports, however, posted a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 381%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, beeswax imports declined dramatically to $X in 2022. In general, imports showed a pronounced downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 85% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Benin (X tons) was the key importer of beeswax, generating 74% of total imports. Algeria (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 12% share, followed by Togo (8%). South Africa (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

Benin was also the fastest-growing in terms of the beeswax imports, with a CAGR of +29.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Togo (+6.9%), South Africa (+4.6%) and Algeria (+3.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. While the share of Benin (+62 p.p.) and Togo (+8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Algeria (-4.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Togo ($X), Algeria ($X) and South Africa ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 78% of total imports.

Togo, with a CAGR of +11.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -27% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the import price increased by 60%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Togo ($X per ton), while Benin ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Togo (+3.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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