We use cookies to improve your experience and for marketing. Read our cookie policy or manage cookies.

Accept essential cookies
Accept all cookies
South Africa - Plantains - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
Report Update: Jun 1, 2025

South Africa - Plantains - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

Single report
Sent by email within 24h (Mon-Fri)
What's the difference?
Subscription
Online access and download
from $350/month

Get instant access to more than 2 million reports, dashboards, and datasets on the IndexBox Platform.

View Pricing
Aug 4, 2024

Plantain Exports From South Africa Drop to $5.9M in 2023

South Africa Plantain Exports

In 2023, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of plantains, when their volume decreased by -10% to 10K tons. Overall, total exports indicated a mild increase from 2013 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, exports increased by +51.3% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 46% against the previous year. The exports peaked at 14K tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2023, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, plantain exports reduced modestly to $5.9M (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 49% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $7.2M in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2023, the exports remained at a lower figure.South Africa Plantain Exports By Country (Million USD)

COUNTRYExport Value of Plantain in South Africa (million USD)
20132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
Botswana3.74.54.34.14.94.73.23.05.14.64.4
Namibia1.41.61.51.41.31.31.31.11.21.11.0
Lesotho0.50.70.80.70.81.00.50.40.40.30.2
Swaziland0.10.20.10.10.10.10.10.10.1N/A0.1
Others0.20.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.2
Total5.97.06.86.47.17.25.14.66.96.15.9

Exports by Country

Botswana (6.9K tons) was the main destination for plantain exports from South Africa, accounting for a 67% share of total exports. Moreover, plantain exports to Botswana exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Namibia (2.1K tons), threefold. Lesotho (899 tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 8.8% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume to Botswana amounted to +1.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (+1.8% per year) and Lesotho (+6.5% per year).

In value terms, Botswana ($4.4M) remains the key foreign market for plantains exports from South Africa, comprising 74% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Namibia ($1M), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Lesotho, with a 3.6% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value to Botswana totaled +1.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (-3.3% per year) and Lesotho (-8.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the plantain price stood at $580 per ton (FOB, South Africa), increasing by 7.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average export price increased by 23%. The export price peaked at $738 per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2023, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Botswana ($636 per ton), while the average price for exports to Lesotho ($235 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Swaziland (+9.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the plantain market in South Africa. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

  • FCL 489 - Plantains

Country coverage:

  • South Africa

Data coverage:

  • Market volume and value
  • Per Capita consumption
  • Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
  • Trade (exports and imports) in South Africa
  • Export and import prices
  • Market trends, drivers and restraints
  • Key market players and their profiles

Reasons to buy this report:

  • Take advantage of the latest data
  • Find deeper insights into current market developments
  • Discover vital success factors affecting the market

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

  1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
  2. How to load your idle production capacity
  3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
  4. How to increase your profit margins
  5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
  6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
  7. How to outsource production to other countries
  8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    3. TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS

  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. COUNTRIES WITH TOP YIELDS
    4. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    5. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

  7. 7. PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)

  8. 8. IMPORTS

    The Largest Import Supplying Countries

    1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  9. 9. EXPORTS

    The Largest Destinations for Exports

    1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

  11. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2024
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012-2024
    6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012-2024
    7. Import Prices, By Country, 2012-2024
    8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012-2024
    9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012-2024
    10. Exports Prices, By Country, 2012-2024

  12. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply Vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply Vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Trade Balance, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    6. Trade Balance, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    7. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    8. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
    9. Market Value Forecast to 2035
    10. Market Size and Growth, by Product
    11. Average Per Capita Consumption, by Product
    12. Exports and Growth, by Product
    13. Export Prices and Growth, by Product
    14. Production Volume and Growth
    15. Yield and Growth
    16. Exports and Growth
    17. Export Prices and Growth
    18. Market Size and Growth
    19. Per Capita Consumption
    20. Imports and Growth
    21. Import Prices
    22. Production, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    23. Production, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    24. Harvested Area: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    25. Yield: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    26. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    27. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    28. Imports, in Physical Terms, by Country, 2024
    29. Imports, in Physical Terms, by Country, 2012-2024
    30. Imports, in Value Terms, by Country, 2012-2024
    31. Import Prices, by Country, 2012-2024
    32. Exports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    33. Exports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    34. Exports, in Physical Terms, by Country, 2024
    35. Exports, in Physical Terms, by Country, 2012-2024
    36. Exports, in Value Terms, by Country, 2012-2024
    37. Export Prices, by Country, 2012-2024

Recommended posts

Free Data: Plantains - South Africa
Table
Plantains - South Africa - Table
Dashboard
Plantains - South Africa - Dashboard
Report
Plantains - South Africa - Report