SADC: Market for Cherries and Sour Cherries 2025

Market Size for Cherries and Sour Cherries in SADC

The SADC cherry and sour cherry market surged to $X in 2022, with an increase of 19% against the previous year. In general, consumption continues to indicate resilient growth. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Production of Cherries and Sour Cherries in SADC

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry production soared to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 101%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

South Africa (X tons) remains the largest cherry and sour cherry producing country in SADC, accounting for 84% of total volume. Moreover, cherry and sour cherry production in South Africa exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Madagascar (X tons), fivefold.

In South Africa, cherry and sour cherry production increased at an average annual rate of +13.0% over the period from 2012-2022.

In 2022, the average yield of cherries and sour cherries in SADC surged to X tons per ha, with an increase of 45% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the yield, however, saw a pronounced descent. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat 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, approx. X ha of cherries and sour cherries were harvested in SADC; waning by -14% compared with the year before. In general, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 72% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Exports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Exports in SADC

In 2022, overseas shipments of cherries and sour cherries increased by 42% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, exports saw prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 192%. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 261%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

South Africa dominates exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was near 96% of total exports in 2022. Madagascar (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

South Africa was also the fastest-growing in terms of the cherries and sour cherries exports, with a CAGR of +11.5% from 2012 to 2022. Madagascar (-19.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Madagascar (+3.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while South Africa saw its share reduced by -3.9% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest cherry and sour cherry supplier in SADC, comprising 99% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Madagascar ($X), with a 1% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa stood at +33.2%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 1.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 90%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Madagascar amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+19.5%).

Imports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Imports in SADC

In 2022, approx. X tons of cherries and sour cherries were imported in SADC; picking up by 53% on 2021 figures. Overall, imports recorded a noticeable expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 91% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports posted a resilient expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 113%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Imports by Country

South Africa was the key importing country with an import of around X tons, which accounted for 40% of total imports. Mauritius (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Botswana (X tons), Namibia (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons). All these countries together held near 44% share of total imports. The following importers - Angola (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons) - each recorded a 7.9% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mozambique (with a CAGR of +53.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cherry and sour cherry importing markets in SADC were South Africa ($X), Mauritius ($X) and Botswana ($X), together accounting for 78% of total imports. Namibia, Angola, Mozambique and Tanzania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 15%.

Mozambique, with a CAGR of +52.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 26% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.2%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Mauritius ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Botswana (+9.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform