SADC: Cherry Market 2025

Cherry Market Size in SADC

In 2022, the SADC cherry market decreased by -62.6% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a prominent increase. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Cherry Production in SADC

In value terms, cherry production skyrocketed to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, enjoyed strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 112%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of cherry production was South Africa (X tons), comprising approx. 85% of total volume. Moreover, cherry production in South Africa exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Madagascar (X tons), sixfold.

In South Africa, cherry production expanded at an average annual rate of +12.5% over the period from 2012-2022.

In 2022, the average yield of cherries in SADC reached X tons per ha, picking up by 3.2% compared with 2021 figures. In general, the yield, however, recorded a pronounced slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 41%. Over the period under review, the cherry yield reached the peak level at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 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.

The cherry harvested area declined to X ha in 2022, waning by -14% compared with 2021 figures. Overall, the harvested area, however, enjoyed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 72% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cherry production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Cherry Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, shipments abroad of cherries increased by 37% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 100% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, cherry exports surged to $X in 2022. In general, exports showed a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 185% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

South Africa dominates exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was approx. 95% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Madagascar (X tons), creating a 4.9% share of total exports.

South Africa was also the fastest-growing in terms of the cherries exports, with a CAGR of +12.6% from 2012 to 2022. Madagascar (-9.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of South Africa increased by +26 percentage points.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest cherry supplier in SADC, comprising 98% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Madagascar ($X), with a 1.8% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa amounted to +35.1%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -2.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, posted a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 an increase of 56% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

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 (+19.9%).

Cherry Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, the amount of cherries imported in SADC surged to X tons, rising by 25% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, imports recorded a perceptible expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 261% 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 imports surged to $X in 2022. In general, imports recorded a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 287% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa represented the major importing country with an import of around X tons, which recorded 48% of total imports. Botswana (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Mauritius (X tons), Tanzania (X tons), Namibia (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons). All these countries together took near 46% share of total imports. Angola (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to cherry imports into South Africa stood at +3.1%. At the same time, Tanzania (+74.7%), Mozambique (+49.4%) and Botswana (+15.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tanzania emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +74.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Namibia (-2.3%), Mauritius (-6.3%) and Angola (-9.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Botswana, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa increased by +16, +8.5, +5.7 and +4 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cherries in SADC, comprising 52% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mauritius ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Namibia, with a 10% share.

In South Africa, cherry imports expanded at an average annual rate of +9.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mauritius (+2.7% per year) and Namibia (+11.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 6.7% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the import price increased by 24% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (+13.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform