SADC: Kola Nut Market 2025

Kola Nut Market Size in SADC

The SADC kola nut market dropped remarkably to $X in 2022, waning by -44.2% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, recorded a abrupt decline. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Kola Nut Production in SADC

In value terms, kola nut production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the production volume increased by 15%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) remains the largest kola nut producing country in SADC, comprising approx. 69% of total volume. Moreover, kola nut production in Democratic Republic of the Congo exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, South Africa (X tons), twofold.

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, kola nut production expanded at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012-2022.

Kola Nut Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, approx. X tons of kola nuts were exported in SADC; increasing by 10% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, exports recorded a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 427% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, kola nut exports expanded slightly to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 365%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) was the largest exporter of kola nuts, comprising 65% of total exports. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X tons), making up a 34% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Democratic Republic of the Congo (with a CAGR of +79.9%).

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

Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a CAGR of +66.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among 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, declining by -5.3% against the previous year. Export price indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, kola nut export price decreased by -39.6% against 2015 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 41%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Democratic Republic of the Congo stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+7.5%).

Kola Nut Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, overseas purchases of kola nuts were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, imports, however, showed a noticeable decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 430% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, kola nut imports dropped to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a drastic downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 104% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa represented the largest importer of kola nuts in SADC, with the volume of imports recording X kg, which was near 65% of total imports in 2022. Botswana (X kg) took a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Mozambique (11%) and Zambia (5.9%).

Imports into South Africa decreased at an average annual rate of -1.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Mozambique (+62.7%), Botswana (+21.4%) and Zambia (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mozambique emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +62.7% from 2012-2022. South Africa (+17 p.p.), Botswana (+17 p.p.), Mozambique (+11 p.p.) and Zambia (+3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest kola nut importing markets in SADC were Mozambique ($X), South Africa ($X) and Zambia ($X), together accounting for 83% of total imports.

Mozambique, with a CAGR of +42.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of 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

In 2022, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, declining by -39.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the import price increased by 494% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2022, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Zambia ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+19.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform