South Africa: Couscous Market 2025

Couscous Market Size in South Africa

The South African couscous market reduced slightly to $X in 2021, waning by -4.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a perceptible descent. Couscous consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Couscous Production in South Africa

In value terms, couscous production expanded slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a abrupt decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 13%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Couscous Exports

Exports from South Africa

Couscous exports from South Africa skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, rising by 61% against the year before. Over the period under review, exports recorded significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 190%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, couscous exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 91%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Namibia (X tons), Lesotho (X tons) and Botswana (X tons) were the main destinations of couscous exports from South Africa, with a combined 92% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Namibia (with a CAGR of +41.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for couscous exported from South Africa were Namibia ($X), Lesotho ($X) and Botswana ($X), with a combined 89% share of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Namibia, with a CAGR of +32.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average couscous export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 10% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average export price increased by 16% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Lesotho ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Zambia (+8.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Couscous Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, purchases abroad of couscous increased by 16% to X tons, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +86.1% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 46% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, couscous imports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, total imports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +77.5% against 2018 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Italy (X tons), Swaziland (X tons) and Namibia (X tons) were the main suppliers of couscous imports to South Africa, together accounting for 81% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Swaziland (with a CAGR of +4,418.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($X), Swaziland ($X) and Namibia ($X) constituted the largest couscous suppliers to South Africa, with a combined 86% share of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, Swaziland, with a CAGR of +3,597.8%, saw the highest growth rate of 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 average couscous import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 9.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a slight slump. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the price for Turkey ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+25.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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