Should US Growers Look To Africa As The Next Big Market? Selected Import Markets For Soybeans, Meal, And Oil

By Peter Goldsmith and Guy Allen et.al

The Soybean Innovation Lab (SIL) introduces readers to the question whether Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) presents a new market opportunity for US soybean growers. This article wraps up a three-part series on the topic of Africa as a potential export market for US soybeans. The African market presents a very complex landscape. While it is large, diverse, and growing rapidly, there exists great uncertainty, significant business risks, and demand for soybean and associated products are just beginning to emerge.

This first article in the series focused on the larger food and oil trends dominating the African continent (see farmdoc daily from November 13, 2025).  The second article delved into the import flows of soybean, oil, and meal into Africa (see farmdoc daily from November 19, 2025).    Today’s third and final article discusses four specific country examples – Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania – touching on their imports of soy and soy products, logistics infrastructure, and existing policies on genetically modified soybean imports. We also include a list of additional readings on the subject of food and agricultural trade and Africa.

Import Markets for Soybeans, Meal, and Oil

Egypt

Since 2020 soybean import demand in Egypt has been rising at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5% and now amounts to over 172 million bushels a year (Table 1). Import growth will continue to be driven by an influx of foreign currency and growing domestic demand for soy ingredients and soy-based products. U.S. soybeans accounted for almost 70% of Egypt’s total soybean imports over the past five years and that is likely to continue due to the freight advantage over South America.

Soybean oil and meal import demand are relatively minimal and reflect Egypt’s commitment to domestic crush. Local processors supply the Egyptian market with approximately 850,000 metric tons of soybean oil and 3.7mmt of soybean meal. Soybean oil imports amount to 8% of palm oil imports, which are 1,255,925 metric tons, and 47% larger than domestic soy oil output.

Egypt charges no import tariffs on raw oilseeds like soybeans, sunflower seed, and palm kernel, but there are 5% tariffs on oilseed meal and cake, and 2% tariffs on soybean and sunflower seed oil. There are no tariffs on crude cottonseed and palm oil (Morgan, 2025). Egypt’s major ports, Alexandria (including El Dekheila), Damietta, and the ports within the Suez Canal Economic Zone, are critical for handling the nation’s grain and dry bulk imports.