South Africa: Plantain Market 2025

Plantain Market Size in South Africa

In 2022, the South African plantain market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a strong increase. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Plantain Production in South Africa

In value terms, plantain production reduced modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by X%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the average plantain yield in South Africa stood at less than X kg per ha, approximately equating the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield saw 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 total area harvested in terms of plantains production in South Africa amounted to less than X ha, standing approx. at 2021. In general, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern.

Plantain Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of plantains increased by X% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, total exports indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by X% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by X%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plantain exports shrank to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Botswana (X tons) was the main destination for plantain exports from South Africa, accounting for a X% share of total exports. Moreover, plantain exports to Botswana exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Namibia (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Lesotho (X tons), with an X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Botswana stood at X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (X% per year) and Lesotho (X% per year).

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

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Botswana totaled X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (X% per year) and Lesotho (X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average plantain export price amounted to $X per ton, declining by X% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Swaziland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Lesotho ($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 (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Plantain Imports

Imports into South Africa

After three years of decline, overseas purchases of plantains increased by X% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plantain imports surged to $X in 2022. In general, imports posted significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Swaziland (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of plantain to South Africa, with a X% share of total imports. Moreover, plantain imports from Swaziland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Ecuador (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Mozambique (X tons), with a X% share.

From 2013 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Swaziland stood at X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Ecuador (X% per year) and Mozambique (X% per year).

In value terms, the largest plantain suppliers to South Africa were Swaziland ($X), Ecuador ($X) and Mozambique ($X), with a combined X% share of total imports.

Ecuador, with a CAGR of X%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average plantain import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a abrupt setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the average import price increased by X% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2013 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Swaziland (X%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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