Buckwheat market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The South African buckwheat market volume showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. It surged to 511 000 t in 2019, more than doubling from the previous year, primarily due to a spike in imports to 294 000 t. This increase coincided with global grain supply reductions in other regions and a period of weaker exchange rates, which influenced trading dynamics for agricultural commodities.

After the peak, market volume contracted to 282 000 t in 2020 and settled around 279 000 t in 2021, as import levels normalized. A recovery followed in 2022, with volume rising to 378 000 t, before declining again to 305 000 t in 2023.

In the broader period through 2025, identified market factors included global supply chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions affecting commodity prices, and ongoing trends toward agricultural diversification and technological adoption within the local food sector.

Production buckwheat in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa ranked as the 16th largest producer of buckwheat globally.

Top producers of buckwheat, 2018-2021

World map of production of buckwheat, 2018-2021

South Africa's buckwheat production declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 222.7 tonnes of buckwheat, marking a 0.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 2.9%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%.

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

Exports buckwheat from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 9.3 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 34.5 tonnes, showing a 3.7-fold difference. In 2021, buckwheat shipments from South Africa totaled 22.8 tonnes, a sharp 33.9% drop from 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 50.0%, while the largest increase was in 2020, surging by 271.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main buyers of South African buckwheat were Botswana (35.5% of exports by volume), Canada (24.6%), and Namibia (13.2%). Together, these three countries accounted for 73.3% of total exports.

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

Market behavior was volatile over these years. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 22.7 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2021 at 73.5 thousand US dollars, representing a 3.2-fold increase. In 2021, buckwheat exports from South Africa amounted to 73.5 thousand US dollars, an abrupt 35.9% gain compared to 2020. The largest decline was in 2019, down 32.5%, and the largest increase was in 2020, up 137.7%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the largest buyers of South African buckwheat by value were Botswana (59.8% of exports), Eswatini (12.2%), and Canada (11.9%). These three countries together made up 84.0% 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 buckwheat to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market. Imports hit their lowest point in 2021 at 78.6 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 293.8 tonnes, a 3.7-fold variation. In 2021, buckwheat imports into South Africa totaled 78.6 tonnes, a solid 14.8% contraction from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2020, falling 68.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019, up 219.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main sources of buckwheat imports to South Africa by volume were Poland (51.5%), Canada (23.9%), and Ukraine (15.1%). This group accounted for 90.4% 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

Volatility characterized the market during these years. The lowest value was in 2020 at 92.5 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2021 at 161.1 thousand US dollars, showing a 1.7-fold difference. In 2021, imported buckwheat volumes in South Africa were recorded at 161.1 thousand US dollars, a 74.3% increase relative to the prior year. The largest decline occurred in 2020, down 41.3%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the principal sources of buckwheat imports to South Africa by value were Poland (49.4%), China (28.2%), and Canada (9.9%). Together, these countries accounted for 87.5% of total import value.

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

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