South Africa: Plum And Sloe Market 2025

Plum And Sloe Market Size in South Africa

The South African plum and sloe market shrank modestly to $X in 2022, declining by -3.6% against the previous year. In general, consumption continues to indicate a prominent expansion. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Plum And Sloe Production in South Africa

In value terms, plum and sloe production declined modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of plums and sloes in South Africa soared to X tons per ha in 2022, growing by 41% against 2021 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the yield attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term. 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 plums and sloes production in South Africa contracted rapidly to X ha, falling by -18.1% on 2021. Over the period under review, the total harvested area indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, plum and sloe harvested area increased by +34.8% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 57% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha, and then shrank markedly in the following year.

Plum And Sloe Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of plums and sloes increased by 18% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% 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 +102.8% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 69%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, plum and sloe exports expanded sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% 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 +99.9% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 85% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for plum and sloe exports from South Africa, with a 48% share of total exports. Moreover, plum and sloe exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the UK (X tons), threefold. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the Netherlands stood at +7.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (+1.3% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+8.1% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the key foreign market for plums and sloes exports from South Africa, comprising 50% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the Netherlands stood at +7.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (+1.2% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+5.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average plum and sloe export price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -8.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 21% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the countries with the highest prices were Malaysia ($X per ton) and Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) and the UK ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+16.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plum And Sloe Imports

Imports into South Africa

Plum and sloe imports into South Africa dropped notably to X tons in 2022, which is down by -22% on the previous year. In general, imports saw a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 92%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plum and sloe imports fell to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a noticeable decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 34%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Spain (X tons) was the main plum and sloe supplier to South Africa, accounting for a 94% share of total imports. Moreover, plum and sloe imports from Spain exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Portugal (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Spain amounted to -2.4%.

In value terms, Spain ($X) constituted the largest supplier of plums and sloes to South Africa, comprising 94% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Portugal ($X), with a 5.7% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Spain stood at -2.2%.

Import Prices by Country

The average plum and sloe import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 11% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 26%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably 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 Portugal totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Israel (+6.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :