Uganda: Coconut Oil Market 2025

Coconut Oil Market Size in Uganda

After two years of decline, the Ugandan coconut oil market increased by 33% to $X in 2022. Overall, consumption recorded resilient growth. Coconut oil consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Coconut Oil Exports

Exports from Uganda

In 2022, overseas shipments of coconut (copra) oil were finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. In general, exports posted significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 131% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, coconut oil exports shrank to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports posted a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 142%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Exports by Country

Canada (X tons) was the main destination for coconut oil exports from Uganda, accounting for a 68% share of total exports. Moreover, coconut oil exports to Canada exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Rwanda (X tons), twofold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Canada amounted to +28.3%.

In value terms, Canada ($X) remains the key foreign market for coconut (copra) oil exports from Uganda, comprising 80% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Rwanda ($X), with a 20% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Canada stood at +42.1%.

Export Prices by Country

The average coconut oil export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -11.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, posted a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 47%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Rwanda amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Canada (+10.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Coconut Oil Imports

Imports into Uganda

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of coconut (copra) oil, when their volume increased by 5.3% to X tons. In general, imports posted resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 117% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, coconut oil imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 123% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Sri Lanka (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Kenya (X tons) were the main suppliers of coconut oil imports to Uganda, with a combined 84% share of total imports. India, the United States, South Africa and China lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 15%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +43.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest coconut oil suppliers to Uganda were Kenya ($X), Sri Lanka ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X), together accounting for 88% of total imports. India, South Africa, the United States and China lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 10%.

The United States, with a CAGR of +32.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average coconut oil import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 29% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average import price increased by 47%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

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 Kenya ($X per ton), while the price for India ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+15.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform