South Africa: Mushroom And Truffle Market 2025

Mushroom And Truffle Market Size in South Africa

After six years of growth, the South African mushroom and truffle market decreased by -0.5% to $X in 2022. In general, consumption, however, saw a buoyant increase. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Mushroom And Truffle Production in South Africa

In value terms, mushroom and truffle production rose to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, enjoyed a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 54%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of mushrooms and truffles in South Africa totaled less than X kg per ha in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the yield showed 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 mushrooms and truffles in South Africa amounted to less than X ha, remaining stable against the previous year. Overall, the harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern.

Mushroom And Truffle Exports

Exports from South Africa

Mushroom and truffle exports from South Africa dropped to X tons in 2022, falling by -7.5% against the previous year. In general, exports continue to indicate a deep reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 30%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, mushroom and truffle exports dropped to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 45% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Botswana (X tons) was the main destination for mushroom and truffle exports from South Africa, with a 30% share of total exports. Moreover, mushroom and truffle exports to Botswana exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Zambia (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Namibia (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Botswana amounted to -9.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zambia (+1.5% per year) and Namibia (-6.7% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for mushroom and truffle exported from South Africa were Botswana ($X), Italy ($X) and Mauritius ($X), with a combined 39% share of total exports.

Italy, with a CAGR of +177.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of 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 mushroom and truffle export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 7.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, mushroom and truffle export price increased by +111.4% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average export price increased by 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zambia ($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 Swaziland (+10.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Mushroom And Truffle Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of mushrooms and truffles decreased by -48.5% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. In general, imports saw a dramatic setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 740% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, mushroom and truffle imports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a deep slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 554%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, France (X tons) constituted the largest mushroom and truffle supplier to South Africa, with a 55% share of total imports. Moreover, mushroom and truffle imports from France exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Italy (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by China (X kg), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from France totaled +18.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Italy (+2.6% per year) and China (-40.3% per year).

In value terms, Italy ($X) constituted the largest supplier of mushrooms and truffles to South Africa, comprising 63% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by Spain, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Italy stood at +11.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+5.1% per year) and Spain (+9.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average mushroom and truffle import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 261% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 420%. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

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 Spain ($X per ton), while the price for Hong Kong SAR ($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 (+11.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :