Africa: Linseed Oil Market 2025

Linseed Oil Market Size in Africa

The African linseed oil market expanded sharply to $X in 2022, increasing by 6.4% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Linseed Oil Production in Africa

In value terms, linseed oil production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Linseed Oil Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of linseed oil were exported in Africa; flattening at the previous year. Over the period under review, exports recorded a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 150% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, linseed oil exports contracted to $X in 2022. Overall, exports saw a noticeable downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 81%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa (X tons), Sierra Leone (X tons) and Gambia (X tons) represented roughly 75% of total exports in 2022. Rwanda (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Tanzania (X tons). All these countries together held near 16% share of total exports. Ethiopia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Ethiopia (with a CAGR of +277.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest linseed oil supplying countries in Africa were South Africa ($X), Tanzania ($X) and Sierra Leone ($X), with a combined 68% share of total exports. Gambia, Ethiopia and Rwanda lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%.

Among the main exporting countries, Ethiopia, with a CAGR of +259.3%, recorded 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

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -8.9% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, enjoyed a measured increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the export price increased by 68%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Ethiopia ($X per ton), while Gambia ($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 (+12.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Linseed Oil Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of linseed oil were finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 74% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, linseed oil imports expanded significantly to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 71%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Gambia (X tons) was the major importer of linseed oil, creating 80% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Ethiopia (X tons), making up an 11% share of total imports. The following importers - South Africa (X tons), Guinea-Bissau (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons) - each accounted for a 5.6% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to linseed oil imports into Gambia stood at +2.1%. At the same time, Mozambique (+82.6%), Guinea-Bissau (+23.2%) and Ethiopia (+20.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mozambique emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +82.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, South Africa (-5.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Gambia, Ethiopia and Mozambique increased by +16, +9.3 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Gambia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported linseed oil in Africa, comprising 52% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ethiopia ($X), with a 24% share of total imports. It was followed by South Africa, with a 7.7% share.

In Gambia, linseed oil imports expanded at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Ethiopia (+19.5% per year) and South Africa (-3.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -4.1% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 23% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then declined modestly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Guinea-Bissau ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+2.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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