South Africa: Cherry Market 2024

Cherry Market Size in South Africa

In 2022, the South African cherry market decreased by -83% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption, however, posted a strong increase. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Cherry Production in South Africa

In value terms, cherry production surged to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, posted a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 147% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of cherries in South Africa reached X tons per ha in 2022, flattening at the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield, however, recorded a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 55% against the previous year. The cherry yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2016; however, from 2017 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.

In 2022, the harvested area of cherries in South Africa reduced to X ha, with a decrease of -14% on the previous year. In general, the harvested area, however, showed a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the harvested area increased by 72%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cherry production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Cherry Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of cherries increased by 39% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, exports posted resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 117% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, cherry exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 234% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tons) was the main destination for cherry exports from South Africa, with a 52% share of total exports. Moreover, cherry exports to the UK exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Malaysia (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the UK amounted to +49.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malaysia (+49.4% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+51.9% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) remains the key foreign market for cherries exports from South Africa, comprising 56% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Malaysia ($X), with a 10% share of total exports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 7.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the UK totaled +50.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malaysia (+42.4% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+44.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average cherry export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, falling by -4.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, posted prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 84% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2021, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Cambodia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Lesotho ($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 (+18.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cherry Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, the amount of cherries imported into South Africa surged to X tons, growing by 35% on 2021. Overall, imports showed noticeable growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 25,307% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cherry imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 19,638%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Spain (X tons), the UK (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons) were the main suppliers of cherry imports to South Africa.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by the UK (with a CAGR of +350.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cherry suppliers to South Africa were the UK ($X), Spain ($X) and Bulgaria ($X), with a combined 99.9% share of total imports.

The UK, with a CAGR of +471.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cherry import price amounted to $X per ton, remaining stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cherry import price increased by +65.2% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the average import price increased by 67%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the price for Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+57.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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