SADC: Market for Nutmeg, Mace And Cardamoms 2025

Market Size for Nutmeg, Mace And Cardamoms in SADC

In 2022, the SADC nutmeg, mace and cardamom market increased by 7.1% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a mild decline. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Nutmeg, Mace And Cardamoms in SADC

In value terms, nutmeg, mace and cardamom production dropped modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 74%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Tanzania (X tons) remains the largest nutmeg, mace and cardamom producing country in SADC, comprising approx. 86% of total volume. Moreover, nutmeg, mace and cardamom production in Tanzania exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Malawi (X tons), eightfold. Namibia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 1.9% share.

In Tanzania, nutmeg, mace and cardamom production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Malawi (-0.4% per year) and Namibia (+1.1% per year).

In 2022, the average nutmeg, mace and cardamom yield in SADC contracted slightly to X kg per ha, standing approx. at 2021. Overall, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 0.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the nutmeg, mace and cardamom yield hit record highs at X kg per ha in 2013; however, from 2014 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.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of nutmeg, mace and cardamoms production in SADC totaled X ha, stabilizing at 2021. In general, the harvested area recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 4.1%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Nutmeg, Mace And Cardamoms

Exports in SADC

In 2022, approx. X tons of nutmeg, mace and cardamoms were exported in SADC; remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. In general, exports saw a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 74%. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, nutmeg, mace and cardamom exports dropped rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 95% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2021, and then shrank remarkably in the following year.

Exports by Country

Tanzania prevails in exports structure, finishing at X tons, which was near 90% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X tons), mixing up a 6.8% share of total exports. Madagascar (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

Tanzania was also the fastest-growing in terms of the nutmeg, mace and cardamoms exports, with a CAGR of +53.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Madagascar (+11.8%) and South Africa (+5.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Tanzania increased by +76 percentage points.

In value terms, Tanzania ($X) remains the largest nutmeg, mace and cardamom supplier in SADC, comprising 89% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Madagascar ($X), with a 5.8% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Tanzania totaled +49.5%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Madagascar (+13.3% per year) and South Africa (+5.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, with a decrease of -28% against the previous year. Export price indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of 45%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2021, and then declined rapidly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Madagascar ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Madagascar (+1.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports of Nutmeg, Mace And Cardamoms

Imports in SADC

In 2022, approx. X tons of nutmeg, mace and cardamoms were imported in SADC; growing by 22% compared with the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, nutmeg, mace and cardamom imports rose to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a perceptible shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 27%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

South Africa dominates imports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 64% of total imports in 2022. Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 8.8% share, followed by Mauritius (8.6%), Angola (8.1%) and Tanzania (6.1%). Seychelles (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Seychelles (+24.1%), Tanzania (+14.0%), Mauritius (+7.6%) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+4.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Seychelles emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +24.1% from 2012-2022. Angola experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Tanzania (+3.9 p.p.), Mauritius (+3 p.p.) and Seychelles (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Angola (-2.3 p.p.) and South Africa (-6.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported nutmeg, mace and cardamoms in SADC, comprising 73% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mauritius ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa totaled -3.4%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mauritius (+8.7% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (-0.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -13.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 35%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 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 Mauritius ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mauritius (+1.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform