– Soybean Oil Production refers to the total quantity of oil produced from processed soybeans within a country during a specified period, measured in tonnes.
South Africa Soybean Oil Production was 322.9 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, up 7.7% on 2022. The South Africa Soybean Oil Production dataset provides a comprehensive assessment of the country's soybean oil manufacturing performance and the development of its edible oil processing industry between 2015 and 2023.
South Africa Soybean Oil Production moved from 180.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 322.9 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+78.7%), an average of +7.5% a year. The series high was 322.9 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 and the low 148.2 Thousand Tonnes in 2017.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2017) is 174.7 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +24.8% in 2018.
Among the 34 countries in this dataset, South Africa ranks 17 for 2023, behind China (17,815 Thousand Tonnes) and U.S. (12,227 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 0.5% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 322.9 | +7.7% |
| 2022 | 299.9 | +17.8% |
| 2021 | 254.6 | +8.4% |
| 2020 | 234.8 | +5.6% |
| 2019 | 222.4 | +20.2% |
| 2018 | 185 | +24.8% |
| 2017 Trough | 148.2 | −9.3% |
| 2016 | 163.4 | −9.6% |
| 2015 | 180.7 | — |
Regional context
Soybean Oil Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. South Africa is highlighted.
Data definition
Soybean Oil Production — – Soybean Oil Production refers to the total quantity of oil produced from processed soybeans within a country during a specified period, measured in tonnes. The indicator reflects the scale of soybean processing and edible oil manufacturing and is used to assess agricultural processing capacity, oilseed utilization, and the performance of the vegetable oil industry. The data presented by Our World in Data is based on statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The data includes the annual production of soybean oil extracted from soybeans through mechanical pressing and solvent extraction processes. It covers crude and refined soybean oil produced for human consumption, food manufacturing, industrial applications, and export. The figures represent domestic production compiled from official agricultural and food processing statistics and standardized by the FAO to ensure international comparability across countries and years.
The data excludes soybean cultivation and production, soybean meal, biodiesel production, other vegetable oils (such as palm, sunflower, rapeseed, or olive oil), soy-based food products, imports and exports of soybean oil, and stock changes. It also excludes informal or unrecorded production not captured in official agricultural statistics and losses occurring during storage, transportation, or distribution after production.
Soybean Oil Production — – Soybean Oil Production refers to the total quantity of oil produced from processed soybeans within a country during a specified period, measured in tonnes. The indicator reflects the scale of soybean processing and edible oil manufacturing and is used to assess agricultural processing capacity, oilseed utilization, and the performance of the vegetable oil industry. The data presented by Our World in Data is based on statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Measured in Thousand Tonnes, the dataset serves as an important benchmark for evaluating oilseed processing capacity, soybean utilization, agricultural productivity, food manufacturing output, supply chain efficiency, and the overall development of South Africa's edible oil sector. Based on the validated data, South Africa recorded a strong overall upward production trend throughout the study period despite modest declines in the initial years. Production decreased from 180.70 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 163.40 thousand tonnes in 2016 and 148.20 thousand tonnes in 2017, before recovering to 185.00 thousand tonnes in 2018. Output continued to increase steadily to 222.40 thousand tonnes in 2019, 234.80 thousand tonnes in 2020, 254.60 thousand tonnes in 2021, 299.90 thousand tonnes in 2022, and reached a study-period high of 322.90 thousand tonnes in 2023. Overall, the dataset highlights the sustained expansion of South Africa's soybean processing industry, reflecting increasing processing capacity and stronger value addition within the edible oil sector. The dataset provides valuable insights into production trends, edible oil manufacturing performance, and agricultural value addition within South Africa's soybean processing sector. It supports year-over-year analysis, benchmarking against other major soybean oil-producing countries, and evaluation of long-term industry developments. Policymakers, soybean processors, edible oil manufacturers, agricultural producers, exporters, investors, market analysts, and researchers can use the dataset to assess production performance, monitor industry trends, identify investment opportunities, forecast future soybean oil output, improve processing efficiency, strengthen supply chain resilience, and develop evidence-based strategies that support sustainable long-term growth across South Africa's edible oil and soybean value chain.
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Definition – Soybean Oil Production refers to the total quantity of oil produced from processed soybeans within a country during a specified period, measured in tonnes. The indicator reflects the scale of soybean processing and edible oil manufacturing and is used to assess agricultural processing capacity, oilseed utilization, and the performance of the vegetable oil industry. The data presented by Our World in Data is based on statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
South Africa Soybean Oil Production was 322.9 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, up 7.7% on 2022.
South Africa Soybean Oil Production moved from 180.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 322.9 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+78.7%), an average of +7.5% a year. The series high was 322.9 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 and the low 148.2 Thousand Tonnes in 2017.
The highest value was 322.9 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 148.2 Thousand Tonnes in 2017.
Included: The data includes the annual production of soybean oil extracted from soybeans through mechanical pressing and solvent extraction processes. It covers crude and refined soybean oil produced for human consumption, food manufacturing, industrial applications, and export. The figures represent domestic production compiled from official agricultural and food processing statistics and standardized by the FAO to ensure international comparability across countries and years. Excluded: The data excludes soybean cultivation and production, soybean meal, biodiesel production, other vegetable oils (such as palm, sunflower, rapeseed, or olive oil), soy-based food products, imports and exports of soybean oil, and stock changes. It also excludes informal or unrecorded production not captured in official agricultural statistics and losses occurring during storage, transportation, or distribution after production.
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?time=2023&pickerSort=asc&Food=Soybean+oil&Metric=Production&Per+capita=false&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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