South Africa: Leek Market 2025

Leek Market Size in South Africa

The South African leek market reduced slightly to $X in 2022, almost unchanged from the previous year. Overall, consumption continues to indicate measured growth. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Leek Production in South Africa

In value terms, leek production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -4.2% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 30% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the average yield of leeks and other alliaceous vegetables in South Africa amounted to less than X kg per ha, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield recorded 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 leek harvested area in South Africa stood at less than X ha in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against 2021. In general, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern.

Leek Exports

Exports from South Africa

For the fifth consecutive year, South Africa recorded decline in shipments abroad of leeks and other alliaceous vegetables, which decreased by -3.7% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 853% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, leek exports declined to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 260%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Botswana (X tons), Angola (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons) were the main destinations of leek exports from South Africa, together comprising 52% of total exports. Namibia, Germany, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, the UK, the Netherlands, Swaziland and Zambia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 42%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (with a CAGR of +139.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for leek exported from South Africa were the Netherlands ($X), the UK ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined 63% share of total exports. Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Zambia and Swaziland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, with a CAGR of +107.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average leek export price amounted to $X per ton, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, posted a resilient expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 83% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2021, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Swaziland ($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 the Netherlands (+20.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Leek Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, the amount of leeks and other alliaceous vegetables imported into South Africa fell markedly to X tons, reducing by -31.4% compared with the year before. Overall, imports faced a deep setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 44,891%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, leek imports expanded markedly to $X in 2022. In general, imports recorded a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 4,199% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Portugal (X kg) constituted the largest leek supplier to South Africa, accounting for a 71% share of total imports. Moreover, leek imports from Portugal exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Kenya (X kg), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Egypt (X kg), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Portugal was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Kenya (-22.1% per year) and Egypt (-62.3% per year).

In value terms, Portugal ($X), Egypt ($X) and Kenya ($X) constituted the largest leek suppliers to South Africa, together comprising 100% of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Portugal, with a CAGR of 0.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Import Prices by Country

The average leek import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 58% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a noticeable downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the average import price increased by 426% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Egypt ($X per ton), while the price for Swaziland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+111.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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