SADC: Areca Nut Market 2025

Areca Nut Market Size in SADC

In 2022, the SADC areca nut market decreased by -8.3% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a noticeable slump. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Areca Nut Production in SADC

In value terms, areca nut production skyrocketed to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a prominent increase. As a result, production reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

South Africa (X tons) remains the largest areca nut producing country in SADC, comprising approx. 79% of total volume. Moreover, areca nut production in South Africa exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Tanzania (X tons), fourfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in South Africa was relatively modest.

Areca Nut Exports

Exports in SADC

For the sixth year in a row, SADC recorded growth in shipments abroad of areca nuts, which increased by 618% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports showed significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 636%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, areca nut exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports posted significant growth. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X tons) represented the major exporter of areca nuts, mixing up 87% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Tanzania (X tons), making up a 13% share of total exports.

South Africa was also the fastest-growing in terms of the areca nuts exports, with a CAGR of +179.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Tanzania (+22.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. South Africa (+87 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Tanzania saw its share reduced by -76.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) emerged as the largest areca nut supplier in SADC, comprising 95% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Tanzania ($X), with a 4.9% share of total exports.

In South Africa, areca nut exports increased at an average annual rate of +191.9% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 175% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a drastic downturn. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Tanzania stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+4.4%).

Areca Nut Imports

Imports in SADC

Areca nut imports surged to X tons in 2022, growing by 73% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, areca nut imports soared to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

South Africa dominates imports structure, reaching X tons, which was near 86% of total imports in 2022. Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 5.2% share, followed by Mauritius (4.9%).

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to areca nut imports into South Africa stood at +1.8%. At the same time, Democratic Republic of the Congo (+32.1%) and Mauritius (+20.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Democratic Republic of the Congo emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +32.1% from 2012-2022. While the share of South Africa (+7.3 p.p.), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+4.9 p.p.) and Mauritius (+4.1 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported areca nuts in SADC, comprising 83% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), with a 6.7% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa totaled +2.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Democratic Republic of the Congo (+17.1% per year) and Mauritius (+28.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -13.3% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.8%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the import price increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mauritius (+5.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform