South Africa: Oat Market 2025

Oat Market Size in South Africa

The South African oat market dropped markedly to $X in 2022, which is down by -22% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Oat Production in South Africa

In value terms, oat production surged to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 209%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of oats in South Africa expanded notably to X tons per ha in 2022, growing by 5.3% on 2021. In general, the yield indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, oat yield decreased by -6.6% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the yield increased by 177% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the average oat yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The oat harvested area in South Africa declined to X ha in 2022, with a decrease of -13.9% on the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 80% against the previous year. The oat harvested area peaked at X ha in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Oat Exports

Exports from South Africa

Oat exports from South Africa declined remarkably to X tons in 2022, reducing by -24.5% compared with 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume 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. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 51%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then contracted sharply in the following year.

In value terms, oat exports dropped markedly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 64%. The exports peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank dramatically in the following year.

Exports by Country

Namibia (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons) and Zambia (X tons) were the main destinations of oat exports from South Africa, together comprising 64% of total exports. Lesotho, Japan, Nigeria, South Korea, Botswana and Swaziland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Nigeria (with a CAGR of +53.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Namibia ($X) remains the key foreign market for oats exports from South Africa, comprising 41% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zambia ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Zimbabwe, with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Namibia stood at +6.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zambia (+17.5% per year) and Zimbabwe (+10.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average oat export price amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -21.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average export price increased by 43% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Botswana ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zimbabwe ($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 (+7.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Oat Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, purchases abroad of oats decreased by -99.4% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. In general, imports showed a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 3,101%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, oat imports reduced markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a abrupt slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 1,868%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Uruguay (X tons) was the main supplier of oat to South Africa, accounting for a 91% share of total imports. Moreover, oat imports from Uruguay exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Australia (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Uruguay totaled +19.5%.

In value terms, Uruguay ($X) constituted the largest supplier of oats to South Africa, comprising 95% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Australia ($X), with a 4.5% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Uruguay totaled +9.8%.

Import Prices by Country

The average oat import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 86% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a pronounced slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 96% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Finland (+4.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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