South Africa: Soya Sauce Market 2025

Soya Sauce Market Size in South Africa

The South African soya sauce market rose remarkably to $X in 2022, increasing by 9% against the previous year. In general, consumption continues to indicate a pronounced expansion. Soya sauce consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Soya Sauce Production in South Africa

In value terms, soya sauce production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a noticeable expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 35%. Soya sauce production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Soya Sauce Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of soya sauce increased by 1.7% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, exports, however, showed a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 55%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, soya sauce exports dropped modestly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a drastic downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 52% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Swaziland (X tons) was the main destination for soya sauce exports from South Africa, accounting for a 40% share of total exports. Moreover, soya sauce exports to Swaziland exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Lesotho (X tons), threefold. Namibia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 8.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Swaziland amounted to -14.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Lesotho (-12.3% per year) and Namibia (-7.8% per year).

In value terms, Swaziland ($X) remains the key foreign market for soya sauce exports from South Africa, comprising 40% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Namibia ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Botswana, with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Swaziland stood at -8.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (-2.3% per year) and Botswana (-4.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average soya sauce export price amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -5.1% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, soya sauce export price decreased by -7.1% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 39%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Lesotho ($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 Mozambique (+11.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Soya Sauce Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, supplies from abroad of soya sauce increased by 20% to X tons, rising for the fifth consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, total imports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +84.0% against 2017 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, soya sauce imports rose modestly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +74.3% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) constituted the largest soya sauce supplier to South Africa, accounting for a 49% share of total imports. Moreover, soya sauce imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Singapore (X tons), with a 17% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from China amounted to +13.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (+8.9% per year) and Singapore (+1.6% per year).

In value terms, the largest soya sauce suppliers to South Africa were Singapore ($X), China ($X) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), with a combined 73% share of total imports. Thailand, the United States, Japan, the Netherlands and Hong Kong SAR lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

In terms of the main suppliers, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +30.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average soya sauce import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -14.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a noticeable setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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 the United States ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+9.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :