South Africa: Lettuce And Chicory Market 2024

Lettuce And Chicory Market Size in South Africa

The South African lettuce and chicory market totaled $X in 2022, almost unchanged from the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Lettuce And Chicory Production in South Africa

In value terms, lettuce and chicory production contracted slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% 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 -2.9% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 91%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, the average lettuce and chicory yield in South Africa contracted to X tons per ha, remaining stable against 2021 figures. Overall, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the yield increased by 1.5% against the previous year. The lettuce and chicory yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The lettuce and chicory harvested area in South Africa fell modestly to X ha in 2022, stabilizing at the year before. In general, the harvested area recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the harvested area increased by 4.2% against the previous year. The lettuce and chicory harvested area peaked at X ha in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Lettuce And Chicory Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of lettuce and chicory decreased by -26.6% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports showed a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 31% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lettuce and chicory exports declined rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports showed a noticeable setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Mozambique (X tons), Namibia (X tons) and Lesotho (X tons) were the main destinations of lettuce and chicory exports from South Africa, together comprising 75% of total exports. Botswana, Swaziland, Zambia, Malawi and Angola lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 21%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Zambia (with a CAGR of +39.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for lettuce and chicory exported from South Africa were Namibia ($X), Mozambique ($X) and Botswana ($X), with a combined 68% share of total exports. Lesotho, Swaziland, Zambia, Malawi and Angola lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Zambia, with a CAGR of +33.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2022, the average lettuce and chicory export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 2.5% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +6.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Botswana ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zambia ($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 (+18.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lettuce And Chicory Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, the amount of lettuce and chicory imported into South Africa fell dramatically to X tons, which is down by -73.5% against the previous year. In general, imports showed a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 705% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lettuce and chicory imports plummeted to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports faced a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 749%. Imports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (X tons) was the main supplier of lettuce and chicory to South Africa, accounting for a 94% share of total imports. Moreover, lettuce and chicory imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Mozambique (X tons), more than tenfold. Italy (X kg) ranked third in terms of total imports with less than 0.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from the Netherlands amounted to +35.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mozambique (-2.0% per year) and Italy (-50.3% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lettuce and chicory to South Africa, comprising 99% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mozambique ($X), with a 1% share of total imports. It was followed by Italy, with a 0.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from the Netherlands amounted to +17.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mozambique (-1.7% per year) and Italy (-49.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average lettuce and chicory import price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -16.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a noticeable contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the average import price increased by 124% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2022, the average 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 Italy ($X per ton), while the price for Mozambique ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+72.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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