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South Africa - Spices - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
Report Update: Jun 1, 2025

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

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Aug 21, 2024

South Africa's Spice Import Sees Modest Decline to $84M in 2023

South Africa Spice Imports

In 2023, supplies from abroad of spices decreased by -5.4% to 36K tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a noticeable increase from 2013 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, imports decreased by -14.1% against 2021 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at 42K tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, spice imports reduced to $84M (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2013 to 2023; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 22%. Imports peaked at $91M in 2022, and then declined in the following year.South Africa Spice Imports By Country (Million USD)

COUNTRYImport Value of Spice in South Africa (million USD)
20132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
India21.424.623.625.626.022.123.131.028.231.127.6
Vietnam14.515.817.623.617.711.711.111.114.416.313.5
China6.28.37.78.210.610.39.915.214.913.112.2
Thailand0.20.30.30.20.32.53.02.73.04.53.7
Spain1.81.71.92.01.62.72.83.13.33.53.5
Zimbabwe0.80.91.01.51.71.41.41.71.12.72.2
Madagascar0.80.90.80.61.00.81.40.91.81.62.1
Indonesia1.71.53.33.02.21.61.51.31.60.91.5
Singapore4.14.56.55.53.82.50.30.40.30.50.5
Others10.514.813.914.112.713.614.116.818.717.217.1
Total62.073.476.584.377.569.168.884.287.391.283.8

Imports by Country

India (14K tons), China (7.5K tons) and Vietnam (3.4K tons) were the main suppliers of spice imports to South Africa, together comprising 69% of total imports. Spain, Thailand, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Madagascar and Singapore lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 8%.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Madagascar (with a CAGR of +20.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, India ($28M) constituted the largest supplier of spices to South Africa, comprising 33% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Vietnam ($13M), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with a 15% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from India stood at +2.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Vietnam (-0.7% per year) and China (+7.0% per year).

Imports by Type

Spices except pepper or ginger (10K tons), pimenta pepper (9.5K tons) and anise, badian, fennel and coriander (6.9K tons) were the main products of spice imports to South Africa, together comprising 75% of total imports. Piper pepper, ginger, cinnamon (canella), cloves, nutmeg, mace and cardamoms and vanilla lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the major product types, was attained by ginger (with a CAGR of +6.2%), while imports for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, pimenta pepper ($21M), piper pepper ($17M) and spices except pepper or ginger ($17M) were the most imported types of spices in South Africa, together comprising 65% of total imports. Anise, badian, fennel and coriander, ginger, nutmeg, mace and cardamoms, cinnamon (canella), cloves and vanilla lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2023, the spice price amounted to $2,346 per ton (CIF, South Africa), declining by -2.8% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a mild reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 when the average import price increased by 15%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $2,950 per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2023, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2023, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Thailand ($4,955 per ton), while the price for Russia ($737 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+11.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the spice 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 687 - Pepper
  • FCL 689 - Pimento
  • FCL 692 - Vanilla
  • FCL 693 - Cinnamon (canella)
  • FCL 698 - Cloves
  • FCL 702 - Nutmeg, mace, cardamoms
  • FCL 711 - Anise, badian, fennel
  • FCL 720 - Ginger
  • FCL 723 - Spices nes

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

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