SADC: Date Market 2025

Date Market Size in SADC

The SADC date market reduced markedly to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -27.2% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +65.3% against 2013 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then shrank remarkably in the following year.

Date Production in SADC

In value terms, date production expanded rapidly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a noticeable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 146% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Namibia (X tons), South Africa (X tons) and Swaziland (X tons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Namibia (with a CAGR of +15.4%), while production for the other leaders experienced a decline in the production figures.

In 2022, the average yield of dates in SADC totaled X tons per ha, with an increase of 11% compared with the year before. In general, the yield enjoyed a measured increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 79%. Over the period under review, the date yield attained the peak level at X tons per ha in 2020; however, from 2021 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 dates were harvested in SADC; remaining stable against the year before. Overall, the harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 0.4% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Date Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, exports of dates in SADC skyrocketed to X tons, surging by 59% compared with 2021 figures. In general, exports recorded buoyant growth. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, date exports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a strong expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 54%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X tons) was the key exporter of dates, generating 71% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Namibia (X tons), mixing up a 28% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to date exports from South Africa stood at +4.9%. At the same time, Namibia (+14.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Namibia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +14.4% from 2012-2022. Namibia (+14 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while South Africa saw its share reduced by -13.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) and Namibia ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022.

Namibia, with a CAGR of +23.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -15.5% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the export price increased by 18%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Namibia ($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 Namibia (+7.6%).

Date Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, date imports in SADC expanded to X tons, surging by 2.3% on 2021 figures. Total imports indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +28.2% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 25% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, date imports dropped to $X in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 48% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Tanzania (X tons) represented the largest importer of dates, creating 51% of total imports. South Africa (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Mauritius (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 36% share of total imports. Botswana (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Botswana (with a CAGR of +10.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Tanzania ($X), South Africa ($X) and Mauritius ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 89% share of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, South Africa, with a CAGR of +7.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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, declining by -11.3% against the previous year. Import price indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price 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, date import price decreased by -35.9% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 39% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique (+2.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform