SADC: Eggplant Market 2025

Eggplant Market Size in SADC

The SADC eggplant market was estimated at $X in 2022, surging by 2% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value 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, consumption decreased by -1.6% against 2020 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Eggplant Production in SADC

In value terms, eggplant production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -3.3% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of eggplant production was Malawi (X tons), accounting for 84% of total volume. Moreover, eggplant production in Malawi exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Mauritius (X tons), tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Madagascar (X tons), with a 4.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Malawi stood at +5.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mauritius (+0.2% per year) and Madagascar (+0.5% per year).

The average eggplant yield declined slightly to X tons per ha in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 4.9%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2021, and then declined slightly in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The eggplant harvested area fell to X ha in 2022, which is down by -1.6% compared with the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 5.5%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to eggplant production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Eggplant Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, exports of eggplants (aubergines) in SADC shrank sharply to X tons, dropping by -33.9% against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, exports saw a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 104% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, eggplant exports amounted to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 54%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa represented the major exporting country with an export of about X tons, which reached 79% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Tanzania (X tons), comprising a 14% share of total exports. Madagascar (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to eggplant exports from South Africa stood at -10.2%. At the same time, Tanzania (+25.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tanzania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +25.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Madagascar (-36.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of South Africa and Tanzania increased by +41 and +14 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest eggplant supplier in SADC, comprising 94% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tanzania ($X), with a 2.1% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa stood at +8.5%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tanzania (+5.7% per year) and Madagascar (-37.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 62% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a prominent increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the export price increased by 75%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

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 (+20.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Eggplant Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, overseas purchases of eggplants (aubergines) increased by 16% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, imports posted a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 146%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, eggplant imports contracted to $X in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 106%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa was the main importing country with an import of around X tons, which finished at 56% of total imports. Botswana (X tons) took a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Seychelles (12%) and Namibia (6.6%). Mozambique (X tons), Swaziland (X tons) and Lesotho (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to eggplant imports into South Africa stood at +43.7%. At the same time, Seychelles (+44.3%), Lesotho (+35.6%), Swaziland (+20.6%), Namibia (+14.4%) and Mozambique (+5.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Seychelles emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +44.3% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Botswana (-3.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of South Africa (+51 p.p.), Seychelles (+11 p.p.) and Lesotho (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Mozambique (-3.2 p.p.) and Botswana (-57.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest eggplant importing markets in SADC were Seychelles ($X), South Africa ($X) and Botswana ($X), with a combined 70% share of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Seychelles, with a CAGR of +52.6%, saw 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

In 2022, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -21.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the import price increased by 44%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood 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 Mozambique ($X per ton), while South Africa ($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 (+9.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform