SADC: Yams Market 2024

Yams Market Size in SADC

The SADC yams market expanded significantly to $X in 2022, increasing by 7.4% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% 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 -5.7% against 2020 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Yams Production in SADC

In value terms, yams production rose rapidly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production enjoyed a moderate increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 103% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of yams production, comprising approx. 89% of total volume. Moreover, yams production in Democratic Republic of the Congo exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Tanzania (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Democratic Republic of the Congo amounted to +1.7%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Tanzania (-0.5% per year) and Comoros (+1.3% per year).

The average yams yield reduced slightly to X tons per ha in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the yield increased by 1.4%. Over the period under review, the yams yield attained the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2017; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022. 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 yams were harvested in SADC; picking up by 1.8% compared with the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 4.2%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to yams production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Yams Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, shipments abroad of yams decreased by -31.7% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. In general, exports, however, enjoyed a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 288% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, yams exports dropped rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a slight increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 351% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Madagascar represented the largest exporting country with an export of around X tons, which finished at 75% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Tanzania (X tons) and Zambia (X tons), together generating a 21% share of total exports. South Africa (X kg) held a little share of total exports.

Exports from Madagascar increased at an average annual rate of +8.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Zambia (+28.0%) and Tanzania (+9.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zambia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +28.0% from 2012-2022. By contrast, South Africa (-23.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Madagascar (+21 p.p.), Zambia (+6 p.p.) and Tanzania (+4.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of South Africa (-33 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Madagascar ($X) emerged as the largest yams supplier in SADC, comprising 75% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Tanzania ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Zambia, with a 5.5% share.

In Madagascar, yams exports expanded at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Tanzania (+17.9% per year) and Zambia (+3.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -41.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a perceptible curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 79%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in South Africa ($X per ton) and Madagascar ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) and Zambia ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+8.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Yams Imports

Imports in SADC

For the third year in a row, SADC recorded growth in purchases abroad of yams, which increased by 39% to X tons in 2022. Overall, imports saw significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 589% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, yams imports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports posted significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 440%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa (X tons) represented roughly 100% of total imports in 2022.

South Africa was also the fastest-growing in terms of the yams imports, with a CAGR of +42.6% from 2012 to 2022. South Africa (+2.9 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, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported yams in SADC.

In South Africa, yams imports increased at an average annual rate of +48.4% over the period from 2012-2022.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, falling by -8.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, posted a notable expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 46%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for South Africa.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for South Africa amounted to +4.0% per year.

Source: IndexBox Platform