South Africa: Mate Market 2025

Mate Market Size in South Africa

The South African mate market shrank sharply to $X in 2022, which is down by -19.2% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, recorded noticeable growth. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2021, and then declined rapidly in the following year.

Mate Production in South Africa

In value terms, mate production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production faced a sharp contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 2,013,900% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, the average yield of mate in South Africa totaled less than X kg per ha, standing approx. at the previous year's figure. Overall, 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.

In 2022, the harvested area of mate in South Africa was estimated at less than X ha, approximately equating 2021. Over the period under review, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern.

Mate Exports

Exports from South Africa

Mate exports from South Africa dropped notably to X kg in 2022, which is down by -64.6% compared with 2021. Overall, exports recorded a dramatic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 770% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, mate exports reached $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a drastic downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 1,948% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Namibia (X kg) was the main destination for mate exports from South Africa, with a 86% share of total exports. Moreover, mate exports to Namibia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Mozambique (X kg), ninefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Lesotho (X kg), with a 3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Namibia stood at +6.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mozambique (-26.6% per year) and Lesotho (-34.9% per year).

In value terms, Namibia ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for mate exports from South Africa, comprising 96% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mozambique ($X), with a 1.8% share of total exports. It was followed by Lesotho, with a 1.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Namibia totaled +10.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mozambique (-18.7% per year) and Lesotho (-37.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average mate export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 189% against the previous year. Overall, the export price posted strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the average export price increased by 227% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Swaziland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Mozambique ($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 Swaziland (+31.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Mate Imports

Imports into South Africa

Mate imports into South Africa contracted rapidly to X tons in 2022, with a decrease of -16.1% against the year before. In general, imports, however, enjoyed a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 3,125%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then dropped remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, mate imports dropped notably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 1,893%. Imports peaked at $X in 2021, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons) was the main supplier of mate to South Africa, with a 96% share of total imports. It was followed by Syrian Arab Republic (X kg), with a 2.9% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Germany amounted to +17.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Syrian Arab Republic (-4.5% per year) and Argentina (-39.5% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) constituted the largest supplier of mate to South Africa, comprising 98% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Syrian Arab Republic ($X), with a 0.3% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Germany stood at +16.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Syrian Arab Republic (+67.0% per year) and Argentina (-40.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average mate import price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -12.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 162% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2022, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Syrian Arab Republic (+75.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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