Fatty acid imports in Nigeria: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Nigeria imported fatty acid worth $14.2 million (12.6 thousand tonnes). Value fell 42% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $25.1 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $14.2M | 12.6K t |
| 2023 | $24.3M | 25.3K t |
| 2022 | $25.1M | 19.6K t |
| 2021 | $10.8M | 9.1K t |
| 2020 | $15.1M | 20.6K t |
| 2019 | $13.1M | 20.2K t |
| 2018 | $12.4M | 17.0K t |
| 2017 | $14.5M | 16.8K t |
Where Nigeria imports fatty acid from
Most of the value came from China (22%), Indonesia (19%), Sierra Leone (12%). Among the main suppliers, Sierra Leone grew fastest (+98% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.1M | 22% |
| Indonesia | $2.7M | 19% |
| Sierra Leone | $1.8M | 12% |
| Thailand | $1.5M | 11% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $1.4M | 10% |
| India | $1.3M | 9.1% |
| Malaysia | $1.2M | 8.5% |
| Germany | $240K | 1.7% |
| Egypt | $193K | 1.4% |
| Ghana | $192K | 1.4% |
Product types under HS 3823
| 3823.19 | Fatty acids (other species) | 47% |
| 3823.11 | Stearic acid | 29% |
| 3823.70 | Industrial fatty alcohols | 17% |
| 3823.12 | Oleic acid | 4.9% |
| 3823.13 | Tall oil fatty acids | 1.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3823.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.13 per kg, close to the world average of $1.24.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Fatty acid exports from Nigeria
Exports of fatty acid by Nigeria reached $468 thousand in 2024 (556 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: China accounted for 90% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, China grew fastest (+126% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $421K | 90% |
| India | $38K | 8.1% |
| Netherlands | $9K | 2% |
| Ireland | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Nigeria?
The shipment records behind Nigeria fatty acid imports (HS 3823): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 3823: Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids; acid oils from refining; industrial fatty alcohols.
Common questions
What is the value of fatty acid imported by Nigeria?
Nigeria imported fatty acid worth $14.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 12.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 58th of 195 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 42% on 2023.
Which countries supply fatty acid to Nigeria?
China was the largest supplier with 22% of the value ($3.1 million), followed by Indonesia (19%) and Sierra Leone (12%). The top three together account for 54%, out of 19 supplier countries in total. Sierra Leone grew fastest among the top ten, up 98% on the year.
What is the average import price of fatty acid per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.13 per kg in 2024, 9% below the world average of $1.24 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of fatty acid to Nigeria changed since 2017?
Imports went from $14.5 million in 2017 to $14.2 million in 2024, a fall of 2%. The peak was 2022 at $25.1 million. Over 8 years the average was $16.2 million a year.
Does Nigeria also export fatty acid?
Yes. Nigeria exported $468 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to China, India and the Netherlands. On balance Nigeria is a net importer of this product, by about $13.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for fatty acid?
The HS code for fatty acid is heading 3823. In Nigeria the largest six-digit codes were 3823.19 (47% of the value) and 3823.11 (29%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for Nigeria, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
Fatty acid product types in Nigeria
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