South Africa: Soya Bean Market 2025

Soya Bean Market Size in South Africa

The South African soya bean market reduced dramatically to $X in 2021, falling by -16.3% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate strong growth. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then declined markedly in the following year.

Soya Bean Production in South Africa

In value terms, soya bean production shrank rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, enjoyed a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 100%. Soya bean production peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.

The average yield of soya beans in South Africa fell to X tons per ha in 2021, waning by -4.7% compared with the previous year. Overall, the yield indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, soya bean yield increased by +5.0% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the yield increased by 55%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the average soya bean yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The soya bean harvested area in South Africa expanded modestly to X ha in 2021, picking up by 1.8% against the year before. Overall, the total harvested area indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, soya bean harvested area decreased by -8.8% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 37%. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the soya bean harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Soya Bean Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of soya beans increased by 915% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, exports, however, faced a deep contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 1,331%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, soya bean exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 879%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zimbabwe (X tons) was the main destination for soya bean exports from South Africa, accounting for a 70% share of total exports. Moreover, soya bean exports to Zimbabwe exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Mozambique (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Botswana (X tons), with a 3.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Zimbabwe stood at +66.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mozambique (+4.2% per year) and Botswana (+13.8% per year).

In value terms, Zimbabwe ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for soya bean exports from South Africa, comprising 68% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mozambique ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Zambia, with a 4.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Zimbabwe amounted to +62.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mozambique (+2.7% per year) and Zambia (+22.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average soya bean export price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -26.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a temperate expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 57%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Zambia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Mozambique ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China (+21.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Soya Bean Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, supplies from abroad of soya beans increased by 164% to X tons, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports recorded a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 2,230% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, soya bean imports surged to $X in 2021. In general, imports recorded significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 1,431% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United States (X tons) constituted the largest soya bean supplier to South Africa, with a 78% share of total imports. Moreover, soya bean imports from the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Zambia (X tons), fivefold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from the United States amounted to +86.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Zambia (+28.4% per year) and Malawi (+41.2% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X) constituted the largest supplier of soya bean to South Africa, comprising 72% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zambia ($X), with a 20% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the United States totaled +54.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Zambia (+30.5% per year) and Malawi (+44.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average soya bean import price amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -42.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average import price increased by 86% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Zambia ($X per ton), while the price for the United States ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Malawi (+2.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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