SADC: Cabbage Market 2025

Cabbage Market Size in SADC

The SADC cabbage market fell slightly to $X in 2022, declining by -4% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Cabbage Production in SADC

In value terms, cabbage production shrank sharply to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 265%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Angola (X tons), Malawi (X tons) and South Africa (X tons), with a combined 84% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Malawi (with a CAGR of +10.2%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average yield of cabbage and other brassicas in SADC contracted slightly to X tons per ha, approximately equating 2021. Overall, the yield showed a slight decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the yield increased by 23%. Over the period under review, the cabbage yield attained the peak level at X tons per ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of cabbage and other brassicas production in SADC reduced to X ha, approximately equating the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the harvested area increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cabbage production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cabbage Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, overseas shipments of cabbage and other brassicas decreased by -24.1% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after three years of growth. Total exports indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -45.8% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cabbage exports declined rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a perceptible downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa prevails in exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was approx. 97% of total exports in 2022. Zimbabwe (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of cabbage and other brassicas. At the same time, Zimbabwe (+34.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zimbabwe emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +34.5% from 2012-2022. Zimbabwe (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest cabbage supplier in SADC, comprising 95% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zimbabwe ($X), with a 3.2% share of total exports.

In South Africa, cabbage exports shrank by an average annual rate of -4.0% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -20.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a perceptible reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the export price increased by 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum 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 Zimbabwe ($X per ton), while South Africa stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Zimbabwe (+1.6%).

Cabbage Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, approx. X tons of cabbage and other brassicas were imported in SADC; falling by -26.4% compared with the previous year's figure. Total imports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -47.5% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 99%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cabbage imports shrank significantly to $X in 2022. In general, imports saw a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 21% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Lesotho prevails in imports structure, accounting for X tons, which was approx. 75% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Swaziland (X tons) and Seychelles (X tons), together achieving a 13% share of total imports. The following importers - Botswana (X tons), Namibia (X tons) and Zimbabwe (X tons) - each accounted for a 5.7% share of total imports.

Imports into Lesotho increased at an average annual rate of +13.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Zimbabwe (+25.7%) and Swaziland (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zimbabwe emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +25.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Seychelles (-2.0%), Namibia (-10.7%) and Botswana (-22.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Lesotho (+47 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Seychelles, Namibia and Botswana saw its share reduced by -3.5%, -5.4% and -37.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Lesotho ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cabbage and other brassicas in SADC, comprising 44% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Seychelles ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Swaziland, with a 7.1% share.

In Lesotho, cabbage imports expanded at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Seychelles (-5.0% per year) and Swaziland (-10.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -18.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a deep slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 21% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Seychelles ($X per ton), while Lesotho ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (+3.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform