South Africa: Apricot Market 2025

Apricot Market Size in South Africa

The South African apricot market shrank markedly to $X in 2022, falling by -26.3% against the previous year. In general, consumption recorded a abrupt contraction. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Apricot Production in South Africa

In value terms, apricot production contracted significantly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a perceptible decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 92% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the average yield of apricots in South Africa totaled X tons per ha, approximately equating 2021 figures. Overall, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the average apricot yield attained the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The apricot harvested area in South Africa reduced rapidly to X ha in 2022, which is down by -22.9% on the previous year's figure. In general, the harvested area showed a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 85%. The apricot harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Apricot Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of apricots increased by 31% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a noticeable reduction. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, apricot exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a mild shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and the UK (X tons) were the main destinations of apricot exports from South Africa, together comprising 81% of total exports. Saudi Arabia, Mozambique, Namibia and Qatar lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 13%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mozambique (with a CAGR of +19.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for apricot exported from South Africa were the United Arab Emirates ($X), the UK ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), together comprising 84% of total exports. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Mozambique and Namibia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 10%.

Mozambique, with a CAGR of +16.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average apricot export price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -7.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, apricot export price decreased by -14.8% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the average export price increased by 43%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Qatar ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Mozambique ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Qatar (+5.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Apricot Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in supplies from abroad of apricots, when their volume increased by 31% to X tons. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 151% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, apricot imports dropped significantly to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, faced a sharp curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 177%. Imports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Swaziland (X tons) was the main apricot supplier to South Africa, accounting for a 100% share of total imports. It was followed by Pakistan (X kg), with a 0.1% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Swaziland stood at +110.4%.

In value terms, Swaziland ($X) constituted the largest supplier of apricots to South Africa, comprising 100% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Pakistan ($X), with a 0.4% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Swaziland amounted to +61.6%.

Import Prices by Country

The average apricot import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -90.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a abrupt slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average import price increased by 149% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Pakistan ($X per ton), while the price for Swaziland stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+39.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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