South Africa: Cow Peas Market 2024

Cow Peas Market Size in South Africa

In 2022, the South African cow peas market increased by 18% to $X, rising for the fifth year in a row after three years of decline. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a perceptible reduction. Cow peas consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cow Peas Production in South Africa

In value terms, cow peas production shrank modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 3.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of cow peas (dry) in South Africa skyrocketed to X kg per ha in 2022, rising by 69% against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the yield saw resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 88% against the previous year. The cow peas yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2020; however, from 2021 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 cow peas harvested area in South Africa was estimated at X ha in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. In general, the harvested area, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 0.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cow peas production reached the maximum at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Cow Peas Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of cow peas (dry) decreased by -14.3% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, exports, however, recorded a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 128%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cow peas exports shrank markedly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, posted resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 115% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Swaziland (X tons) was the main destination for cow peas exports from South Africa, accounting for a 79% share of total exports. Moreover, cow peas exports to Swaziland exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Lesotho (X tons), eightfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Botswana (X tons), with a 2.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Swaziland amounted to +35.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Lesotho (+10.3% per year) and Botswana (-19.2% per year).

In value terms, Swaziland ($X) remains the key foreign market for cow peas (dry) exports from South Africa, comprising 74% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Lesotho ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Botswana, with a 2.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Swaziland amounted to +32.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Lesotho (+10.2% per year) and Botswana (-19.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cow peas export price amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average export price increased by 52% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Mozambique ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zimbabwe ($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 Mozambique (+4.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Cow Peas Imports

Imports into South Africa

After two years of growth, purchases abroad of cow peas (dry) decreased by -47.1% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports showed a slight decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 481% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then shrank rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, cow peas imports fell remarkably to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a perceptible downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 396% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then declined rapidly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Ethiopia (X tons), Zambia (X tons) and Botswana (X tons) were the main suppliers of cow peas imports to South Africa, together accounting for 56% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Ethiopia (with a CAGR of +204.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cow peas suppliers to South Africa were Ethiopia ($X), Zambia ($X) and Botswana ($X), together accounting for 63% of total imports.

Ethiopia, with a CAGR of +184.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among 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 cow peas import price amounted to $X per ton, falling by -14.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 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 Mozambique ($X per ton), while the price for Malawi ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Zambia (+7.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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