SADC: Tomato Market 2025

Tomato Market Size in SADC

The SADC tomato market expanded remarkably to $X in 2021, with an increase of 14% against the previous year. In general, consumption recorded a prominent expansion. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Tomato Production in SADC

In value terms, tomato production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production posted a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 98% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Malawi (X tons), Mozambique (X tons) and South Africa (X tons), together accounting for 74% of total production.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Malawi (with a CAGR of +36.3%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average tomato yield fell modestly to X tons per ha in 2021, declining by -1.6% compared with the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 10%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2020, and then declined 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.

In 2021, approx. X ha of tomatoes were harvested in SADC; growing by 2.2% on 2020. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 9.8%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to tomato production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Tomato Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, shipments abroad of tomatoes decreased by -0.1% to X tons, falling for the fourth year in a row after three years of growth. Over the period under review, exports saw a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 11% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, tomato exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

South Africa represented the main exporter of tomatoes in SADC, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 71% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Namibia (X tons), comprising a 28% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to tomato exports from South Africa stood at -6.8%. At the same time, Namibia (+9.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Namibia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +9.0% from 2012-2021. While the share of Namibia (+19 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of South Africa (-18.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) and Namibia ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Namibia, with a CAGR of +20.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, rising by 25% against the previous year. Export price indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, tomato export price increased by +25.2% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the export price increased by 32% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Namibia ($X per ton), while South Africa totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (+10.4%).

Tomato Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, purchases abroad of tomatoes increased by 13% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after four years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 23%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, tomato imports surged to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, South Africa (X tons), distantly followed by Botswana (X tons), Lesotho (X tons), Namibia (X tons), Mozambique (X tons) and Swaziland (X tons) represented the main importers of tomatoes, together generating 99% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Lesotho (with a CAGR of +9.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest tomato importing markets in SADC were South Africa ($X), Botswana ($X) and Mozambique ($X), with a combined 71% share of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, South Africa, with a CAGR of +24.3%, 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 2021, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, surging by 8% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 20% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Mozambique ($X per ton), while Lesotho ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+16.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform