Market research

Apple market in SADC

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"SADC" region includes following countries:

Angola

Botswana

Comoros

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Eswatini

Lesotho

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Namibia

Seychelles

South Africa

Tanzania

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The South African fresh apple market expanded in volume from 482 thousand tons in 2018 to 705 thousand tons in 2022, with growth particularly strong in 2020 and 2021. This expansion was primarily driven by the introduction of new apple cultivars, such as the full-red Fuji mutation launched in 2018, which boosted domestic production and supply.

After 2022, market volume stabilized around 701 thousand tons in 2023. During this period, the distribution landscape saw the entry of new player Asbis, ending Core Group's long-standing monopoly and increasing competition. Simultaneously, the industry continued to innovate with cultivars like BigBucks and diversified export destinations beyond Europe to Asia and the Middle East.

In 2024, key developments included the reopening of the fresh apple export market to Thailand after 16 years and tariff reductions in China, enhancing export opportunities. However, production faced challenges from climatic events like summer storms, which affected fruit quality.

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. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in SADC
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in SADC in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K 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, K 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, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola 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, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola 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, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola 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, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ 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 SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Apple production in SADC has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 1 013 K t of apples, marking an 11.4% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.4%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 844 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 10.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in SADC in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(10.6%)	7.8%	11.4%	2.4%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of apple production in SADC reached 874.4 M $ US, reflecting a 13.4% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 16%, with a CAGR of 5.1%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 0.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in SADC in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.1%	(0.8%)	13.4%	5.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports apple from SADC

Exports in kind, K t

Apple exports from SADC have grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 475.7 K t of apples, showing a modest increase of 7.9% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 418.4 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 10.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from SADC in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(10.6%)	5.4%	7.9%	0.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, SADC's apple exports in kind were distributed across a diverse range of partners. The United Kingdom accounted for 19.3% of exports, Malaysia for 8.0%, and Nigeria for 7.6%, together making up 34.8% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, SADC's apple exports were valued at 410.5 M $ US, a 9.8% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 9.8%, with a CAGR of 3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 373.7 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 3.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from SADC in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.0%	(3.0%)	9.8%	3.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, SADC's apple exports in value terms relied on a broad partner base. The United Kingdom represented 18.6% of exports, Malaysia 9.3%, and Nigeria 7.7%, collectively accounting for 35.5% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports apple to SADC

Imports in kind, K t

Apple imports into SADC have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 30.8 K t of apples, a sharp decrease of 12.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 46.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 18.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to SADC in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.6%)	(38.1%)	(12.2%)	(18.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, Portugal was the leading partner for apple imports in kind into SADC, holding a 9.4% share of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Apple imports into SADC have decreased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region imported 38.5 M $ US worth of apples, a significant drop of 14.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value declined by 25.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to SADC in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(4.1%)	(8.2%)	(14.9%)	(9.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal and France were the key markets for apple imports in value terms into SADC, together accounting for 3.3% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io