South Africa: Spice Market 2025

Spice Market Size in South Africa

After two years of growth, the South African spice market decreased by X% to $X in 2022. The market value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Spice consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Spice Production in South Africa

In value terms, spice production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the average spice yield in South Africa totaled X tons per ha, almost unchanged from the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of X% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the average spice 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 spice harvested area in South Africa amounted to X ha in 2022, flattening at the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the harvested area increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to spice production attained the maximum at X ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Spice Exports

Exports from South Africa

Spice exports from South Africa totaled X tons in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by X%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, spice exports shrank modestly to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Botswana (X tons), Namibia (X tons) and Swaziland (X tons) were the main destinations of spice exports from South Africa, together comprising X% of total exports. Lesotho, Zambia, Mozambique, the UK, Nigeria, Malawi, the United States, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Australia and Zimbabwe lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X%.

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

In value terms, the largest markets for spice exported from South Africa were Botswana ($X), Namibia ($X) and Swaziland ($X), together accounting for X% of total exports. Lesotho, the United States, Zambia, Mozambique, the UK, Malawi, Nigeria, Australia, Zimbabwe and Democratic Republic of the Congo lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X%.

Mozambique, with a CAGR of X%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average spice export price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of X% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of X%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 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 the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Nigeria ($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 the United States (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Spice Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of spices decreased by X% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. In general, total imports indicated a perceptible increase 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. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, spice imports expanded modestly to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

India (X tons), China (X tons) and Vietnam (X tons) were the main suppliers of spice imports to South Africa, with a combined X% share of total imports. Nigeria, Spain, Argentina, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Russia and Zambia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Zambia (with a CAGR of X%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest spice suppliers to South Africa were India ($X), Vietnam ($X) and China ($X), with a combined X% share of total imports. Spain, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Egypt, Zambia, Russia and Argentina lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X%.

Zambia, 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 spice import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 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 Vietnam ($X per ton), while the price for Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :