South Africa: Groundnuts Market 2025

Groundnuts Market Size in South Africa

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in the South African groundnuts market, when its value decreased by -8.1% to $X. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a pronounced shrinkage. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Groundnuts Production in South Africa

In value terms, groundnuts production rose markedly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 698%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the average groundnuts yield in South Africa dropped to X tons per ha, which is down by -9.8% on the previous year's figure. In general, the yield indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, groundnuts yield increased by +55.4% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 110%. Over the period under review, the average groundnuts yield attained the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2021, and then dropped in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The groundnuts harvested area in South Africa dropped slightly to X ha in 2022, leveling off at 2021. In general, the harvested area showed a mild descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the harvested area increased by 148%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to groundnuts production attained the maximum at X ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Groundnuts Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of ground-nut (in-shell) were exported from South Africa; with an increase of 22% on 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 601%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, groundnuts exports surged to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, faced a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 1,161% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Lesotho (X tons), Mozambique (X tons) and Botswana (X tons) were the main destinations of groundnuts exports from South Africa, together comprising 98% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Lesotho (with a CAGR of +75.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Lesotho ($X) remains the key foreign market for ground-nut (in-shell) exports from South Africa, comprising 76% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Botswana ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Mozambique, with a 9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Lesotho stood at +94.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Botswana (+0.2% per year) and Mozambique (+31.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average groundnuts export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 2.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 80% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Lesotho ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Mozambique ($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 Lesotho (+10.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Groundnuts Imports

Imports into South Africa

Groundnuts imports into South Africa shrank rapidly to X tons in 2022, reducing by -53.6% compared with the previous year. Overall, imports faced a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 694% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, groundnuts imports declined remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, imports saw a dramatic decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 469%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Malawi (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of groundnuts to South Africa, accounting for a 75% share of total imports. Moreover, groundnuts imports from Malawi exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Namibia (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Mozambique (X tons), with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Malawi totaled +22.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Namibia (-24.1% per year) and Mozambique (-26.9% per year).

In value terms, Malawi ($X) constituted the largest supplier of ground-nut (in-shell) to South Africa, comprising 54% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Namibia ($X), with a 21% share of total imports. It was followed by Mozambique, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Malawi amounted to +15.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Namibia (-23.9% per year) and Mozambique (-26.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average groundnuts import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 24% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the average import price increased by 48%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Malawi ($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 (+5.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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