SADC: Cow Peas Market 2025

Cow Peas Market Size in SADC

The SADC cow peas market reached $X in 2022, picking up by 3% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Cow Peas Production in SADC

In value terms, cow peas production rose markedly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by 38%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Tanzania (X tons), Mozambique (X tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), together accounting for 73% of total production. Malawi, Madagascar, Zambia and South Africa lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Zambia (with a CAGR of +15.6%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average cow peas yield in SADC totaled X kg per ha, stabilizing at the year before. Over the period under review, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the yield increased by 5.7%. The level of yield peaked at X kg per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. 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 cow peas (dry) were harvested in SADC; waning by -1.6% against the previous year. Overall, the harvested area, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 4.8% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cow Peas Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, overseas shipments of cow peas (dry) decreased by -5% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Total exports indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +28.5% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 76%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cow peas exports fell dramatically to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

Exports by Country

Madagascar represented the main exporter of cow peas (dry) in SADC, with the volume of exports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 57% of total exports in 2022. Tanzania (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 27% share, followed by South Africa (7.8%) and Botswana (4.6%). Malawi (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Madagascar increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Botswana (+54.3%), South Africa (+9.2%) and Tanzania (+3.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Botswana emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +54.3% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Malawi (-5.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Botswana, Madagascar and South Africa increased by +4.5, +4.4 and +2.9 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Madagascar ($X) remains the largest cow peas supplier in SADC, comprising 48% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Africa ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Tanzania, with a 20% share.

In Madagascar, cow peas exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Africa (+5.9% per year) and Tanzania (-1.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, falling by -13.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the export price increased by 14%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (-3.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Cow Peas Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, purchases abroad of cow peas (dry) decreased by -5.1% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after five years of growth. In general, imports, however, posted prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 56%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cow peas imports fell to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded buoyant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 45%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Angola represented the key importer of cow peas (dry) in SADC, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 59% of total imports in 2022. Swaziland (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by South Africa (X tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons). All these countries together held near 32% share of total imports. The following importers - Mozambique (X tons) and Malawi (X tons) - each reached a 4% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to cow peas imports into Angola stood at +17.2%. At the same time, Swaziland (+34.3%), Mozambique (+26.9%) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+7.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Swaziland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +34.3% from 2012-2022. By contrast, South Africa (-1.2%) and Malawi (-3.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Angola (+33 p.p.), Swaziland (+12 p.p.) and Mozambique (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Malawi and South Africa saw its share reduced by -3.5% and -15% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Angola ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cow peas (dry) in SADC, comprising 60% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Swaziland ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by South Africa, with an 8.7% share.

In Angola, cow peas imports increased at an average annual rate of +22.3% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Swaziland (+31.1% per year) and South Africa (-3.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, stabilizing at the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the import price increased by 13%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 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 Mozambique ($X per ton), while Malawi ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Angola (+4.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform