South Africa: Vegetable Product Market 2025

Vegetable Product Market Size in South Africa

The South African vegetable product market shrank to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -5.7% against the previous year. In general, consumption showed a strong expansion. Vegetable product consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Vegetable Product Production in South Africa

In value terms, vegetable product production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 45%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of vegetable products in South Africa stood at X tons per ha in 2022, approximately equating the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the yield increased by 14%. Over the period under review, the average vegetable product yield reached the peak level at X tons per ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of vegetable products were harvested in South Africa; therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 8.4%. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the vegetable product harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Vegetable Product Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of vegetable products decreased by -17.8% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 18% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then declined sharply in the following year.

In value terms, vegetable product exports reduced sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, posted a perceptible expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 47% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Japan (X tons), Germany (X tons) and the UK (X tons) were the main destinations of vegetable product exports from South Africa, together accounting for 61% of total exports. The Netherlands, the United States, Poland, China, Botswana, Belgium and Sri Lanka lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Botswana (with a CAGR of +23.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($X) remains the key foreign market for vegetable products exports from South Africa, comprising 40% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by the United States, with a 6.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Japan amounted to +16.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-0.4% per year) and the United States (+4.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average vegetable product export price amounted to $X per ton, falling by -1.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, posted measured growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 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 Japan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Botswana ($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 Botswana (+6.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Vegetable Product Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, vegetable product imports into South Africa skyrocketed to X tons, increasing by 131% compared with the previous year. In general, imports posted a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 237% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, vegetable product imports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a buoyant expansion. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Spain (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of vegetable product to South Africa, with a 70% share of total imports. Moreover, vegetable product imports from Spain exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), threefold. India (X kg) ranked third in terms of total imports with less than 0.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Spain amounted to +40.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+0.2% per year) and India (-32.3% per year).

In value terms, Spain ($X) constituted the largest supplier of vegetable products to South Africa, comprising 66% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with a 30% share of total imports. It was followed by Namibia, with a 0.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Spain totaled +58.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+1.3% per year) and Namibia (-34.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average vegetable product import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 8.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a modest increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 290%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (+49.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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