South Africa: Buckwheat Market 2025

Buckwheat Market Size in South Africa

The South African buckwheat market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2022, after two years of decline. Overall, the total consumption indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Buckwheat Production in South Africa

In value terms, buckwheat production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production enjoyed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 152% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, the average yield of buckwheat in South Africa fell modestly to X kg per ha, approximately mirroring the year before. In general, the yield recorded a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the yield increased by 1.6% against the previous year. The buckwheat yield peaked at X kg per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The buckwheat harvested area in South Africa reached X ha in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against 2021. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the harvested area increased by 5% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the buckwheat harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Buckwheat Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of buckwheat were exported from South Africa; reducing by -7.3% on the year before. Over the period under review, exports faced a sharp contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 271% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, buckwheat exports reduced to $X in 2022. Overall, exports showed a deep reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 138% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Botswana (X tons) was the main destination for buckwheat exports from South Africa, accounting for a 55% share of total exports. Moreover, buckwheat exports to Botswana exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Zimbabwe (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Namibia (X tons), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Botswana amounted to -17.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zimbabwe (-0.8% per year) and Namibia (-28.9% per year).

In value terms, Botswana ($X) remains the key foreign market for buckwheat exports from South Africa, comprising 72% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zimbabwe ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Swaziland, with a 6.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Botswana amounted to -3.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zimbabwe (+6.7% per year) and Swaziland (-9.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average buckwheat export price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -6.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 106%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then reduced in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Botswana ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Namibia ($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 Botswana (+16.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Buckwheat Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, purchases abroad of buckwheat was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 175% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, buckwheat imports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, imports enjoyed a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 4,618% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Poland (X tons) constituted the largest buckwheat supplier to South Africa, with a 76% share of total imports. Moreover, buckwheat imports from Poland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Ukraine (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (X tons), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Poland totaled +50.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Ukraine (+15.2% per year) and India (+2.4% per year).

In value terms, Poland ($X) constituted the largest supplier of buckwheat to South Africa, comprising 72% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by India ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Ukraine, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Poland amounted to +64.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+10.2% per year) and Ukraine (+11.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average buckwheat import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -12.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the average import price increased by 2,430%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($X per ton), while the price for Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+173.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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