Apples, pears and quinces market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The market for apples, pears and quinces in SADC expanded consistently from 2018 to 2022, with production rising from 1 251 thousand tons to 1 806 thousand tons and domestic market volume growing from 687 thousand tons to 995 thousand tons. This growth was supported by the industry's strong export focus and the introduction of new apple cultivars, which broadened product variety and met evolving consumer tastes.

Continued growth in 2022 was reinforced by consumer trends favoring healthy eating, while industry and government investments in port infrastructure and logistics improved export capacity. The emergence of new cultivars and the entry of pears into the Chinese market further strengthened the sector's foundations.

In 2023, production declined to 1 706 thousand tons and market volume dipped to 967 thousand tons, mainly due to hail damage in key production areas. However, strategic gains in market access, particularly for pears in China, and the ongoing popularity of new apple varieties helped mitigate the downturn and set the stage for recovery.

Production apples, pears and quinces in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

World map of production of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

SADC's production of apples, pears, and quinces has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 458 K t, marking a 9.8% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production rose by 6.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 1 251 K t, which also saw the steepest decline of 8.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of apples, pears, and quinces production in SADC reached 1 258 M $ US, showing a strong 11.4% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 15.6%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 4.9%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 1.8%.

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

Exports apples, pears and quinces from SADC

Exports in kind, K t

SADC's exports of apples, pears, and quinces in volume terms have increased for two consecutive years. In 2020, exports totaled 697.4 K t, reflecting a modest 6.6% gain over 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 3.5%, averaging an annual decline of 1.2%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 628.8 K t, which also experienced the largest drop of 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Russia were the top buyers of SADC's apples, pears, and quinces in volume, accounting for 14.8%, 8.4%, and 8.3% of exports, respectively. Together, they made up 31.5% of total exports, with the rest spread across numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, SADC exported apples, pears, and quinces worth 601.6 M $ US, showing a controlled increase of 8.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, export value grew by 4.8%, with an annualized rate of 1.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 556.6 M $ US, which also saw the biggest decline of 3.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Russia were key buyers in value terms, holding shares of 14.0%, 8.7%, and 7.9% of SADC's exports, respectively. Their combined share was 30.7%, while the remaining 69.3% was distributed among many other trading partners.

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

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

Imports apples, pears and quinces to SADC

Imports in kind, K t

SADC's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in volume have fallen for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 36.3 K t, representing a 16.3% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports dropped by 46.9%, with an average annual decline of 19.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Portugal was the leading supplier of apples, pears, and quinces to SADC in volume, consistently accounting for 10.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

SADC's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms have declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports totaled 44.9 M $ US, indicating a robust reduction of 16.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 26%, averaging an annual drop of 9.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, France, and China were the core suppliers in value terms, with shares of 2.9%, 0.7%, and 0.5% of SADC's imports, respectively. Together, they accounted for 4.1% of total import flows.

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

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