South Africa: Dry Vegetable Market 2025

Dry Vegetable Market Size in South Africa

In 2022, the South African dry vegetable market increased by 1.1% to $X, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. In general, the total consumption indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +28.4% against 2019 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Dry Vegetable Production in South Africa

In value terms, dry vegetable production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 75% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Dry Vegetable Exports

Exports from South Africa

Dry vegetable exports from South Africa reduced rapidly to X tons in 2022, shrinking by -18.6% compared with 2021 figures. Overall, exports recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 70%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, dry vegetable exports contracted to $X in 2022. In general, total exports indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +147.1% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 160% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tons) was the main destination for dry vegetable exports from South Africa, accounting for a 52% share of total exports. Moreover, dry vegetable exports to the UK exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Zimbabwe (X tons), fivefold. Switzerland (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 5.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the UK stood at +54.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zimbabwe (+1.3% per year) and Switzerland (-3.8% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) remains the key foreign market for dry vegetables exports from South Africa, comprising 47% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Switzerland ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Italy, with a 3.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the UK totaled +47.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Switzerland (-0.3% per year) and Italy (-46.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average dry vegetable export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 17% against the previous year. In general, the export price enjoyed a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 61% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Angola ($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 (+11.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Dry Vegetable Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, supplies from abroad of dry vegetables decreased by -9.4% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, dry vegetable imports stood at $X in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% 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 +39.6% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 46% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), India (X tons) and Egypt (X tons) were the main suppliers of dry vegetable imports to South Africa, together accounting for 90% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Egypt (with a CAGR of +12.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of dry vegetables to South Africa, comprising 52% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by India ($X), with a 23% share of total imports. It was followed by the United States, with a 9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China totaled +5.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+2.8% per year) and the United States (+6.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average dry vegetable import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 13% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 28%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 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 the United States ($X per ton), while the price for India ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+5.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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