Market research

Apple market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the apple market in Eastern Africa reached 59 741 t, heavily reliant on imports as local production faced significant challenges. In Uganda, low orchard productivity due to pests, diseases, and poor post-harvest handling persisted, while Tanzania began promoting domestic apple farming to capture a share of the market and reduce import dependence. Market volume dipped to 56 818 t in 2019 before recovering to 60 463 t in 2020.

A period of accelerated growth began in 2021, with market volume jumping 30% to 78 624 t, primarily driven by a sharp increase in imports which rose from 46 398 t to 64 393 t. This expansion continued, with volume reaching 83 545 t in 2022 and 85 291 t in 2023. Despite confirmed challenges in Ugandan apple farming, including low yields and weak formal market linkages, imports remained the key driver, climbing to 71 218 t by 2023.

Throughout the period, the market's structure was shaped by local production constraints and rising import volumes. Initiatives to strengthen the sector emerged, such as Tanzania's 2024 draft standard for fresh apple quality and the promotion of high-yield Wambugu Apples in Kenya, aiming to improve product quality and market access within the region.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production apple in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Eastern Africa's apple production increased after two years of decline. In 2020, the region produced 14 586 tons of apples, marking a 2.5% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 14 224 tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 5.0% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.0%)	(2.5%)	2.5%	(1.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports apple from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export volumes varied 4.2 times from their peak in 2017 to their low in 2019. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported 522 tons of apples, representing a substantial 123.5% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 233 tons, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 73.6% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(73.6%)	(9.5%)	123.5%	(18.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were notable buyers of apples from Eastern Africa, together accounting for 28.2% of total exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values reached their maximum in 2017 and fell to their minimum in 2018, representing a 3.6-fold shift. In 2020, Eastern Africa's apple exports were valued at 491 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp increase of 36.1% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 322 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline also occurring in 2018 at 72.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(72.3%)	12.0%	36.1%	(24.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (15.2% of exports in value terms), Belarus (11.7% of exports in value terms), and Oman (1.0% of exports in value terms) formed the core of exports, together accounting for 27.9% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports apple to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decrease, cross-border shipments of apples to Eastern Africa increased. In 2020, import volume reached 46 398 tons, representing an 8.3% rise from the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 42 827 tons, with the largest decline also occurring in 2019 at 5.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.4%)	(5.7%)	8.3%	(0.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the primary source for imports in volume terms, accounting for 87.7% of total flows, while other markets contributed smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of increase, imported apple volumes in Eastern Africa declined. In 2020, imports stood at 39 829 thousand US dollars, reflecting a slight decline of 2.2% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 40 714 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.3%	0.8%	(2.2%)	0.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Africa concentrated 84.4% of total imports in value terms, with the remaining volume distributed among many countries with smaller individual shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io