South Africa: Coconut Oil Market 2025

Coconut Oil Market Size in South Africa

In 2022, the South African coconut oil market increased by 50% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption saw a resilient increase. As a result, consumption attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Coconut Oil Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, coconut oil exports from South Africa reduced to X tons, waning by -5% against the previous year. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 63%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, coconut oil exports rose significantly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +20.5% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 39%. The exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Zimbabwe (X tons) was the main destination for coconut oil exports from South Africa, accounting for a 59% share of total exports. Moreover, coconut oil exports to Zimbabwe exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Namibia (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Botswana (X tons), with a 7.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Zimbabwe stood at +19.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (+16.6% per year) and Botswana (+5.1% per year).

In value terms, Zimbabwe ($X) remains the key foreign market for coconut (copra) oil exports from South Africa, comprising 58% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Namibia ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Botswana, with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Zimbabwe stood at +16.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (+26.7% per year) and Botswana (+7.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average coconut oil export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 11% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 39% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the countries with the highest prices were Zambia ($X per ton) and Lesotho ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Mozambique ($X per ton) and Botswana ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Namibia (+8.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Coconut Oil Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in supplies from abroad of coconut (copra) oil, when their volume increased by 32% to X tons. Overall, total imports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 47% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, coconut oil imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, imports saw prominent growth. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Indonesia (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of coconut oil to South Africa, with a 51% share of total imports. Moreover, coconut oil imports from Indonesia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Mozambique (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Malaysia (X tons), with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Indonesia totaled +8.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mozambique (+3.2% per year) and Malaysia (+6.6% per year).

In value terms, Indonesia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of coconut (copra) oil to South Africa, comprising 48% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Malaysia ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Mozambique, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Indonesia amounted to +16.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Malaysia (+12.9% per year) and Mozambique (+6.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average coconut oil import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 24% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, coconut oil import price increased by +105.1% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 48% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+7.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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