South Africa: Lentil Market 2025

Lentil Market Size in South Africa

The South African lentil market soared to $X in 2022, surging by 18% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lentil Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of lentils decreased by -83.9% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, exports, however, posted mild growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 323%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then declined dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, lentil exports declined remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed pronounced growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 258% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2021, and then fell remarkably in the following year.

Exports by Country

Swaziland (X tons), Namibia (X tons) and Botswana (X tons) were the main destinations of lentil exports from South Africa, with a combined 78% share of total exports. Mozambique, the United Arab Emirates, Lesotho and Zimbabwe lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 20%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +89.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Namibia ($X), Swaziland ($X) and Botswana ($X) constituted the largest markets for lentil exported from South Africa worldwide, together comprising 71% of total exports. Lesotho, Mozambique, the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, the United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +78.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average lentil export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 28% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Lesotho ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Swaziland ($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 Mozambique (+6.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lentil Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of lentils decreased by -20.7% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after five years of growth. Overall, imports recorded a pronounced decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lentil imports stood at $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 46% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Canada (X tons) constituted the largest lentil supplier to South Africa, with a 56% share of total imports. Moreover, lentil imports from Canada exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Australia (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Canada totaled -4.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Australia (-0.2% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+14.5% per year).

In value terms, Canada ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lentils to South Africa, comprising 58% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Australia ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Canada amounted to -1.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Australia (+3.2% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+17.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average lentil import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 34% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, lentil import price increased by +95.3% against 2019 indices. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while the price for Australia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+7.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :