South Africa: Date Market 2025

Date Market Size in South Africa

The South African date market fell notably to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -92.8% against the previous year. Overall, consumption saw a abrupt contraction. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then reduced notably in the following year.

Date Production in South Africa

In value terms, date production surged to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a perceptible downturn. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of dates in South Africa totaled less than X kg per ha in 2022, approximately mirroring 2021 figures. Overall, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The date harvested area in South Africa amounted to less than X ha in 2022, leveling off at the year before. Overall, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern.

Date Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, the amount of dates exported from South Africa soared to X tons, growing by 111% compared with the previous year. Overall, exports continue to indicate a noticeable increase. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, date exports soared to $X in 2022. In general, exports enjoyed buoyant growth. The exports peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for date exports from South Africa, accounting for a 50% share of total exports. Moreover, date exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the UK (X tons), fourfold. Botswana (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the Netherlands totaled +16.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (+11.8% per year) and Botswana (+6.2% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the key foreign market for dates exports from South Africa, comprising 54% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($X), with a 24% share of total exports. It was followed by Botswana, with a 4.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the Netherlands amounted to +12.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (+9.0% per year) and Botswana (+11.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average date export price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -20.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average export price increased by 21% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Lesotho ($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 Namibia (+10.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Date Imports

Imports into South Africa

After two years of growth, supplies from abroad of dates decreased by -8.4% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +131.8% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 49%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, date imports reduced sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, showed a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 93% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Namibia (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of date to South Africa, with a 42% share of total imports. Moreover, date imports from Namibia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Pakistan (X tons), twofold. Saudi Arabia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 17% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Namibia totaled +19.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Pakistan (+19.7% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+12.3% per year).

In value terms, Namibia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of dates to South Africa, comprising 55% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by Pakistan, with a 9.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Namibia amounted to +27.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Saudi Arabia (-1.3% per year) and Pakistan (+12.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average date import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -18.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the average import price increased by 95% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 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 Tunisia ($X per ton), while the price for Swaziland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (+6.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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