South Africa: Vegetable Market 2025

Vegetable Market Size in South Africa

The South African vegetable market totaled $X in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. In general, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Vegetable Production in South Africa

In value terms, vegetable production shrank modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by X%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of vegetables in South Africa was estimated at X tons per ha in 2022, approximately equating the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the yield increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average vegetable yield attained the peak level at X tons per ha in 2020; however, from 2021 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, the vegetable harvested area in South Africa contracted modestly to X ha, therefore, remained relatively stable against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the harvested area increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to vegetable production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Vegetable Exports

Exports from South Africa

Vegetable exports from South Africa declined modestly to X tons in 2022, waning by X% compared with 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by X%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then fell slightly in the following year.

In value terms, vegetable exports dropped to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Mozambique (X tons) was the main destination for vegetable exports from South Africa, accounting for a X% share of total exports. Moreover, vegetable exports to Mozambique exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Namibia (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Swaziland (X tons), with a X% share.

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

In value terms, Mozambique ($X) remains the key foreign market for vegetables exports from South Africa, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Namibia ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Mozambique totaled X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (X% per year) and the Netherlands (X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average vegetable export price amounted to $X per ton, declining by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average export price increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Mozambique ($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 (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Vegetable Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of vegetables were imported into South Africa; picking up by X% compared with the year before. Overall, total imports indicated a prominent expansion 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. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by X% against 2019 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, vegetable imports rose sharply to $X in 2022. In general, total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value 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. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by X% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Namibia (X tons) constituted the largest vegetable supplier to South Africa, accounting for a X% share of total imports. Moreover, vegetable imports from Namibia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Nigeria (X tons), with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Namibia stood at X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (X% per year) and Nigeria (X% per year).

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

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Namibia totaled X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (X% per year) and Malaysia (X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average vegetable import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a mild reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of X% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then shrank significantly in the following year.

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

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

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :