Brazil was the largest supplier to the main importing countries.
What this market covers
Hard plant wax from Brazilian palm leaves, used for gloss in car polish, cosmetics, food coating and candles. Bought by polish, cosmetic and confectionery makers.
Typical segments
- Cosmetic grade wax
- Food grade wax
- Polish grade wax
- Coating grade wax
Top importing countries
Customs import value under HS 152110 in each country's latest reported year (in brackets), USD million.
GCC and Africa
Import value by country group, latest reported year per country, USD million.
Source: UN Comtrade
Why this market is moving now
- Import value for the 9 countries reporting every year rose 116% from 2020 to 2025.
- EU exports of the matching CN code to the region rose 103% from 2020 to 2025.
- Demand is concentrated: one country took a large share of the region's reported imports.
About the data
Figures are customs import values (CIF, US dollars) that 18 countries reported to UN Comtrade for HS code 152110 (Vegetable waxes, whether or not refined or coloured). Each country's latest reported year is used: Algeria 2024, Bahrain 2022, Cote d'Ivoire 2025, Egypt 2025, Ethiopia 2023, Ghana 2025, Israel 2025, Jordan 2024, Kenya 2025, Kuwait 2025, Morocco 2025, Nigeria 2025, Oman 2025, Saudi Arabia 2025, South Africa 2025, Tanzania 2025, Tunisia 2024, United Arab Emirates 2023.
No import data for this code was available from Qatar.
South Africa reports import values FOB (free on board) rather than CIF.
Supplier figures add up the partner breakdown that the largest importing countries reported for their latest year. Partner areas that the reporters did not specify are left out of the list.
EU export figures are Eurostat Comext values in euros for CN code 15211000 (Vegetable waxes, whether or not refined or coloured), the code used on the EU page for this market. Shares, changes and per-kilogram values are calculated from these figures. No figure on this page is a forecast.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customs data from 18 Middle East and Africa countries shows imports of $5.7 million under HS code 152110 (Vegetable waxes, whether or not refined or coloured) in their latest year with data (2025 for 12 countries, 2024 for 3, 2023 for 2 and 2022 for 1). | 5.7 USD million | 2025 | UN Comtrade |
| Imports under HS 152110 by the 9 countries that reported every year from 2020 to 2025 were up 116% in 2025 compared with 2020, from $2.3 million to $5.0 million, calculated from UN Comtrade values. | +116 % since 2020 | 2025 | UN Comtrade |
| South Africa was the largest importer among the countries covered, with $2.4 million in 2025, or 43% of the total. | 2.4 USD million | 2025 | UN Comtrade |
| Israel followed with $790 thousand in 2025. | 790 USD thousand | 2025 | UN Comtrade |
| The 5 GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries with data accounted for $385 thousand, or 7% of the total, in their latest reported years. | 385 USD thousand | 2025 | UN Comtrade |
| The 11 African countries with data accounted for $4.4 million, or 77% of the total. | 4.4 USD million | 2025 | UN Comtrade |
| Brazil was the largest supplier to the 5 largest importing countries in the region, which took 81% of its reported imports, with $3.6 million, or 78% of their imports under HS 152110 (partner data for each country's latest year). | 3.6 USD million | 2025 | UN Comtrade |
| The average import value under HS 152110 was $7.27 per kilogram across the 18 countries that reported net weight, calculated from UN Comtrade value and weight. | 7.27 USD per kg | 2025 | UN Comtrade |
| EU exports of CN 15211000 (Vegetable waxes, whether or not refined or coloured) to the 11 Middle East and Africa countries covered were worth €1.1 million in 2025. | 1.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 15211000 to these countries were up 103% in 2025 compared with 2020, when they were €552 thousand, calculated from Eurostat values. | +103 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| South Africa was the largest of these destinations for EU exports of CN 15211000 in 2025, at €350 thousand. | 350 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- UN Comtrade: UN Comtrade database, annual imports by HS code (public preview API) (2026-11-06)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
cmdCode=152110 flowCode=M partnerCode=0 primaryValue: ARE2023=112598; BHR2022=144; CIV2025=126; DZA2024=235678; EGY2025=680128; ETH2023=21616; GHA2025=1362; ISR2025=790000; JOR2024=108302; KEN2025=428918; KWT2025=666; MAR2025=278707; NGA2025=118453; OMN2025=8518; SAU2025=263022; TUN2024=189534; TZA2025=246; ZAF2025=2439451; sum=5677468
- Figure 2
cmdCode 152110, flowCode M, partnerCode 0, sum of primaryValue for CIV EGY ISR KEN MAR NGA OMN SAU ZAF: 2020 = 2319954; 2025 = 5007322; change +116%
- Figure 3
reporterCode 710, period 2025, cmdCode 152110, flowCode M, partnerCode 0, primaryValue 2439451; share of 5677468 = 43%
- Figure 4
reporterCode 376, period 2025, cmdCode 152110, flowCode M, partnerCode 0, primaryValue 790000
- Figure 5
cmdCode 152110, flowCode M, partnerCode 0, sum of primaryValue for ARE BHR KWT OMN SAU = 384947; share 7% (shown as 385 USD thousand)
- Figure 6
cmdCode 152110, flowCode M, partnerCode 0, sum of primaryValue for CIV DZA EGY ETH GHA KEN MAR NGA TUN TZA ZAF = 4394218; share 77% (shown as 4.4 USD million)
- Figure 8
cmdCode 152110, flowCode M, partnerCode 0, sum of primaryValue 5677468 / sum of netWgt 781372 kg = 7.27 USD per kg
- Figure 1
- UN Comtrade: UN Comtrade database, annual imports by HS code (public preview API) (2026-11-06)
Quoted lines
- Figure 7
cmdCode 152110, flowCode M, partnerCode 76, primaryValue summed over reporters = 3621457; world 4617203; share 78%
- Figure 7
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-06)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 15211000, flow export, VALUE_IN_EUROS, 2025: AE=14221; DZ=153406; EG=188344; IL=182689; JO=39568; MA=62188; NG=1840; SA=10976; TN=115228; TZ=76; ZA=350355; sum 1118891
- Figure 10
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 15211000, flow export, VALUE_IN_EUROS, sum over the same partners: 2020 = 552136; 2025 = 1118891; change +103%
- Figure 11
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 15211000, partner ZA, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 350355
- Figure 9
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Polish makers
- Cosmetic brands
- Confectionery makers
Large suppliers to the countries covered
EU exports to the largest destinations in the region, 2025
Eurostat Comext, CN 15211000, EUR million.
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the Middle East and Africa market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the Middle East and Africa carnauba wax market?
There is no single official market total. Customs data reported to UN Comtrade shows imports of $5.7 million under HS code 152110 by 18 countries in the region, using the latest year each one reported.
Which Middle East and Africa countries import the most carnauba wax?
South Africa was the largest importer, followed by Israel and Egypt.
Where does the Middle East and Africa import carnauba wax from?
Brazil was the largest supplier to the largest importing countries in the region. Other large suppliers included Germany, China and Malaysia.
How do GCC and African imports of carnauba wax compare?
The GCC countries with data took $385 thousand, or 7% of the total, and the African countries with data took $4.4 million, or 77%, each in its latest reported year.
How much carnauba wax does the EU export to the Middle East and Africa?
Eurostat shows EU exports of CN 15211000 to the countries covered of €1.1 million in 2025. South Africa was the largest destination.
What is the average import price of carnauba wax in the Middle East and Africa?
Dividing UN Comtrade import value by net weight gives about $7.27 per kilogram for HS 152110, across the countries that reported weight.
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