Alliaceous vegetables market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market volume for alliaceous vegetables in South Africa contracted from 629 thousand tons to 570 thousand tons, with a notable drop in 2022. Production followed a similar trend, peaking at 748 thousand tons in 2019 before declining to 665 thousand tons in 2023. In value terms, the market fluctuated, reaching a low of $149 million in 2022 and recovering to $172 million in 2023.

South Africa maintained a strong export orientation, with exports consistently above 100 thousand tons annually, while imports remained below 14 thousand tons. This trade surplus highlights the country's role as a net exporter. Import volumes showed some volatility, with a spike to 13.8 thousand tons in 2023, while exports reached 130.3 thousand tons in 2025.

In 2024, vegetable market shifts from June to August affected fresh produce including alliaceous vegetables, driven by supply and demand dynamics. The following year, vegetable price inflation outpaced general inflation due to adverse weather conditions and input cost pressures. Concurrently, wellness-focused food trends and the emergence of frozen chopped onion and garlic segments indicated evolving consumer preferences and product innovation.

Production alliaceous vegetables in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of alliaceous vegetables, 2018-2021

World map of production of alliaceous vegetables, 2018-2021

South Africa's production of alliaceous vegetables reached 733.4 K t in 2021, marking a slight increase of 1.0% compared to the previous year. Production peaked in 2019 at 748.4 K t, then declined by 3.0% to 726.2 K t in 2020, which was the lowest level recorded during this period. The largest increase of 3.0% occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, South Africa's production of alliaceous vegetables rebounded in value terms. In 2021, output was valued at 200.9 M $ US, representing an 11.9% increase year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value decreased by 15.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 179.5 M $ US, following the largest decline of 15.0% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports alliaceous vegetables from South Africa

Exports in kind, K t

South Africa's exports of alliaceous vegetables reached 126.2 K t in 2021, showing a gradual increase of 4.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 17.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 129.6 K t, which saw the largest increase of 20.4%. This was followed by the largest decline of 6.9% in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Mozambique, Angola, and Zambia consistently served as the three largest markets for South Africa's alliaceous vegetable exports in volume terms, collectively accounting for 79.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, South Africa's alliaceous vegetable exports increased in value terms. In 2021, exports totaled 34 566 K $ US, representing a strong advance of 15.9% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 29 827 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 14.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Mozambique, Angola, and Botswana remained the primary buyers of South Africa's alliaceous vegetables in value terms. Mozambique accounted for 43.8% of export value, Angola for 15.3%, and Botswana for 9.2%, together representing 68.3% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports alliaceous vegetables to South Africa

Imports in kind, K t

South Africa's imports of alliaceous vegetables totaled 7.4 K t in 2021, showing a notable decline of 24.4% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 21.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 7.0 K t, which saw the largest decline of 25.4%. Imports then peaked in 2020 at 9.8 K t, with the largest increase of 39.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Throughout the 2018-2021 period, Namibia, Spain, and China were the key partners for South Africa's alliaceous vegetable imports in volume terms. Namibia accounted for 43.8% of import volume, Spain for 22.1%, and China for 11.6%, together representing 77.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year rise, South Africa's alliaceous vegetable imports declined in value terms. In 2021, imports came to 10 347 K $ US, marking a robust reduction of 10.2% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 35%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 11 523 K $ US, which saw the largest increase of 45.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, Namibia, and China stood out as the main markets for South Africa's alliaceous vegetable imports in value terms. Spain accounted for 48.6% of import value, Namibia for 16.5%, and China for 10.4%, together representing 75.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021